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

As part of a notable escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

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

“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

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 prison.

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

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of espionage.

An official stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all state resources working to offer assistance and push for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

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