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

In a significant escalation, Ukrainian forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This marks another instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main suppliers of petrol 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 stated on Thursday that he held productive discussions with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has found guilty a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French authorities regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of espionage.

A spokesperson said 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 monitoring the situation, with all government services mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Moscow effort to showcase its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is expected to open by the end of the month with a show of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.