Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Oil Refinery Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, according to the country's military command.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary providers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on potential pathways to end the war.

“It was a really good conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

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

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

Foreign Prisoner Situation

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

An official said 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 state resources working to provide consular support and advocate for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, 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 heralded the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of critics and property seizures from local residents.

It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.