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

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This represents another instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the main suppliers of fuel products in Russia's south and is directly involved in supplying the military 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 discussions with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on possible ways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “There are some new ideas on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

In a parallel internal matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a activist and critic 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 reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as fabricated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball 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 release as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

It is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.