Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Fuel Plant Using British Storm Shadow Missiles.

As part of a notable military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts 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 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 focused 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. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has found guilty a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

The charges are said to be based on an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Situation

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of spying.

A spokesperson said that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and push for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Authorities in control have heralded the rebuilding 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 wider Moscow effort to present its rule 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 largely anew over the last 24 months.