Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Oil Refinery Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This marks another instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian territory.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways 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 new ideas on how to bring real peace closer, and it involves approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in prison.

This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. 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 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 “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all government services working to provide consular support and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is set to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to showcase its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt largely anew over the past two years.