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

In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

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

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to bring real peace closer, and it involves approaches, meetings, and, of course, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

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

This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Case

The Kremlin indicated it is in contact with French authorities regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying.

A spokesperson said 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 state resources mobilised to provide consular support and push for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to showcase its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.