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

As part of a notable military action, Kyiv's forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil refinery. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the country's military command.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives on Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for 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 “very good” talks with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on possible ways to end the war.

“It was a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it concerns formats, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

In a parallel domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted 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.

This case reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

An official said that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all government services mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.