Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Oil Refinery Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

As part of a notable escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil processing facility. The attack was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This represents another instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary suppliers of fuel products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on possible ways to end the war.

“We had a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has found guilty a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

The charges are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published backing another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as fabricated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French authorities regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of spying.

An official said that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources mobilised to offer assistance and push for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Authorities in control have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from local residents.

It is due to reopen by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the last 24 months.