Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Fuel Plant Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces have employed 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 refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This represents another instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the primary suppliers of fuel products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of ex-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 really good conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to bring real peace closer, and it involves approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

This case reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Situation

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

An official said that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all government services mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from local residents.

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