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

As part of a notable escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on potential pathways 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. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, of course, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

In a parallel domestic matter, a Russian court has found guilty a activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

The charges reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as fabricated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Case

Russian authorities has stated 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 new charges of spying.

An official said that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” 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 liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

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

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.