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

As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian territory.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, namely 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, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a pro-war activist and opponent 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 in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of spying.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all state resources working to provide consular support and advocate for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

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

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to showcase its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

It is expected to open by the month's end with a show of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.