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

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, according to the country's military command.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This marks another instance where Ukraine has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the main providers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to end the war.

“It was a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

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

The charges are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French authorities regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

An official 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 government services mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is scheduled to reopen. Authorities in control have heralded the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

It is due to reopen by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.