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

As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, according to the country's military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

In a parallel internal matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

This case reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as fabricated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

A spokesperson said 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 confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to offer assistance and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have heralded the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and property seizures from local residents.

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