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

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “There are some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

In a parallel domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

This case 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 allegations as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” 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 Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its administration in seized territories, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

It is expected to open by the end of the month with a show of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.