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

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main providers of fuel products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on potential pathways to end the war.

“It was a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

The charges reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as fabricated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

Russian authorities indicated it is engaged with French authorities regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

An official stated that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all government services working to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

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

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its rule in seized territories, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

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