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

As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main providers of fuel products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

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

“It was a very productive conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns formats, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

In a parallel domestic matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources working to provide consular support and advocate for his release as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and property seizures from local residents.

It is due to reopen by the month's end with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.