Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Fuel Plant Using British Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the country's military command.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary suppliers of fuel products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on possible ways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to bring real peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

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

The charges are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected 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 officials concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

An official said that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball 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 advocate for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present 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 month's end with a show of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.