Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Fuel Plant With British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

In a significant escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main suppliers of fuel products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on possible ways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

This case reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published backing another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Case

The Kremlin indicated it is in contact with French officials concerning the fate 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 presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and push for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.