Kyiv Strikes Russian Fuel Plant With British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the country's military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian territory.

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

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some new ideas on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

In a parallel domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

This case reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

A spokesperson said that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is scheduled to open its doors again. Authorities in control have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.