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

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary providers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive discussions with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had 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 bring real peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

This case reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all government services mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.