Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Fuel Plant With British Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil refinery. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main providers of fuel products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments 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, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on possible ways to end the war.

“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 bring real peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, of course, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

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

The charges reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Case

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French authorities regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

An official said that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to offer assistance and push for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

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