Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Oil Refinery Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military command.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This represents another instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive 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 very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

This case are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French authorities regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations 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 monitoring the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and push for his release as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is scheduled to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to showcase its administration in occupied Ukraine, 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 largely anew over the last 24 months.