Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Fuel Plant Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the location. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian territory.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, 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 end the war.

“It was a very productive conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia 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 online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Case

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French officials concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of spying.

An official said that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all government services mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his release as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a wider Moscow effort to showcase its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

It is expected to open by the end of the month with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.