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

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

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main providers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to end the war.

“It was a really good conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring 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 found guilty a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

The charges are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of espionage.

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

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to showcase its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

The theatre is expected to open by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.