Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Fuel Plant With British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced 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, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, 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 opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in prison.

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

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin indicated it is in contact with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly 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.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

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

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

It is expected to open by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.