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

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the country's military command.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit objectives on Russian soil.

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

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on possible ways to end the war.

“It was a really good conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has found guilty 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 prison.

The charges are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

An official stated that Russia has made an offer 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 government services mobilised to provide consular support and push for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment 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.

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and property seizures from local residents.

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