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

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out 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" recorded at the site. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the primary providers of fuel 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, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of 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 protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

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

An official stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is monitoring the situation, with all government services mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its basement, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its administration in seized territories, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from local residents.

It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.