Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Fuel Plant With UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. The attack was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials noted 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.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of former US 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 very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to bring real peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

In a parallel internal matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

The charges reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin has stated it is engaged with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of espionage.

A spokesperson stated 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 closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and push for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a wider Moscow effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and property seizures from local residents.

It is expected to open by the end of the month with a show of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the past two years.