Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Fuel Plant Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This represents another instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the main providers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a really good conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

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 opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

This case are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov published backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as fabricated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French officials concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

An official stated that Russia has presented a proposal 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 state resources working to provide consular support and push for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to showcase its administration in seized territories, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from local residents.

It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.