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

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil refinery. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian territory.

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

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of former US 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: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns formats, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

In a parallel internal matter, a court in Russia has convicted a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

The charges are said to be based on an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian 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.

International Detainee Case

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French officials concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying.

An official said that Russia has made an offer 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 government services working to provide consular support and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is due to reopen by the month's end with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.