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

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military command.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary suppliers of fuel products in southern Russia and is directly involved in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

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

“We had a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a court in Russia 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 given to six years in a penal colony.

This case reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Case

The Kremlin indicated it is in contact with French officials regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources working to provide consular support and push for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Kremlin effort to showcase its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the detention or expulsion 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, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.