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

In a significant escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the country's military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the location. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary suppliers of fuel products in southern Russia and is directly involved in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive discussions with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a really good conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns formats, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

In a parallel domestic matter, a court in Russia has convicted a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Situation

The Kremlin indicated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing new charges 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.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all government services working to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, 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 heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from local residents.

It is due to reopen by the month's end with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.