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

In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This represents another instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main providers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive talks with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to end the war.

“It was a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, meetings, and, of course, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia has convicted a 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 a penal colony.

This case reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

Russian authorities has stated it is in contact with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying.

An official stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its basement, is scheduled to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its rule in seized territories, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and property seizures from local residents.

It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the past two years.