Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Fuel Plant Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, of course, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

In a parallel internal matter, a Russian court has found guilty a activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

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

International Detainee Situation

Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French authorities regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

An official said that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all government services mobilised to offer assistance and push for his release 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 were sheltering in its basement, is set to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its rule in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and property seizures from local residents.

It is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the past two years.