Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Fuel Plant With British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged 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 “very good” discussions with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns formats, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

In a parallel internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head 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 accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as fabricated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French officials regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

An official stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all government services working to provide consular support and advocate for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and property seizures from local residents.

It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.