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 strike a key Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the site. This marks another instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main providers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive talks with envoys of former US 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, constructive proposals, 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 involves formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has found guilty a activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in prison.

The charges reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all government services mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have heralded the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

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