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

As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the location. This represents another instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit objectives on Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main providers of fuel products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a activist and critic 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 backing another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

Russian authorities has stated it is in contact with French officials concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of spying.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all state resources working to provide consular support and advocate for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

It is due to reopen by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.