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

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

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the site. This marks not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main providers of fuel products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a really good conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

The charges reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Case

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of espionage.

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 stated he is closely following the situation, with all government services working to provide consular support and push for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

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

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider 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.

The theatre is due to reopen by the month's end with a performance of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction largely anew over the last 24 months.