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

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main providers of fuel products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

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

The charges reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is in contact with French officials concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

An official 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 stated he is closely following the situation, with all government services working to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

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. Authorities in control have heralded the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Moscow effort to present its rule in seized territories, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

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