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

As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military command.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This represents another instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main providers of fuel products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a really good conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has found guilty a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in prison.

This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Situation

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

A spokesperson 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 confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all government services mobilised to provide consular support and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled 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 called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

It is expected to open by the end of the month with a show of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the past two years.