Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Fuel Plant Using British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

As part of a notable military action, Kyiv's forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukraine has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant 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 Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a really good conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

In a parallel domestic matter, a court in Russia has convicted a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

This case reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Case

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French authorities regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying.

An official stated that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and push for his release as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Moscow effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is expected to open by the month's end with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.