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

As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the country's military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the site. This marks another instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main suppliers of fuel products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on possible ways to end the war.

“It was a very productive conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

This case reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French officials regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying.

An official said that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all government services mobilised to offer assistance and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction 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 due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.