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

In a significant escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the country's military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the site. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives on Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main providers of fuel products in Russia's south and is directly involved in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions 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 potential pathways to end the war.

“It was a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

In a parallel internal matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

The charges reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published backing another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact 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.

An official said that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is monitoring the situation, with all government services mobilised to provide consular support and push for his release as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its basement, is scheduled to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

It is due to reopen by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.