Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Oil Refinery Using British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

As part of a notable escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the main suppliers of fuel products in Russia's south and is directly involved in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, 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 involves formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

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, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

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

A spokesperson said that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is set to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and property seizures from local residents.

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