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

As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the country's military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian territory.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some new ideas on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

This case reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French officials concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations 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 offer assistance and push for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from local residents.

The theatre is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.