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

As part of a notable military action, Kyiv's forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil processing facility. The attack was carried out Thursday, as stated by the country's 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 marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main suppliers of fuel products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments 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 end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, potential summits, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia 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 prison.

This case are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared in support of another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

The Kremlin indicated it is in contact with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

An official said that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is monitoring the situation, with all government services working to offer assistance and advocate for his release as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.