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

In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the location. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has found guilty a activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

This case are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of spying.

An official stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding 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 state resources mobilised to provide consular support and push for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to showcase its administration in seized territories, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.