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 strike a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the country's military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the primary providers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

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

“It was a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, of course, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

In a parallel internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

The charges are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as fabricated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Situation

Russian authorities indicated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of espionage.

An official stated that Russia has made an offer 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 provide consular support and advocate for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the past two years.