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

As part of a notable military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. The attack occurred on 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 multiple blasts recorded at the site. This represents another instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives on Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive discussions with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on possible ways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a 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 Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

The charges reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published backing another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Case

Russian authorities indicated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of spying.

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

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile 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, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.