Kyiv Strikes Russian Fuel Plant Using British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This represents another instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the primary suppliers of fuel products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a really good conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has found guilty a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

The charges are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared in support of another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Case

Russian authorities has stated it is in contact with French authorities regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

An official stated that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball 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 push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

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

It is expected to open by the month's end with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.