Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Fuel Plant With UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

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

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This represents another instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian territory.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

This case reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities indicated it is engaged with French officials concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

An official 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 stated he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its basement, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities 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 Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from local residents.

The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.