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

As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian territory.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the main suppliers of fuel products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive talks with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a really good conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

This case reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published backing another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as fabricated 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 officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of espionage.

A spokesperson said that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources working to offer assistance and push for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to showcase its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

It is due to reopen by the month's end with a show of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction largely anew over the last 24 months.