Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Oil Refinery With British Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to end the war.

“It was a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has found guilty a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

This case reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as fabricated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French officials concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all government services mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.