Kyiv Strikes Russian Fuel Plant Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This represents another instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the primary providers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive discussions with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a really good 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 timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

In a parallel domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

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

International Detainee Case

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

A spokesperson said 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 monitoring the situation, with all state resources working to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to showcase its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is expected to open by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.