Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Fuel Plant With British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the country's military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the location. This represents another instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main providers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in supplying the military 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 ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, of course, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

In a parallel internal matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

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

Foreign Prisoner Situation

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French authorities regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

An official said 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 stated he is closely following the situation, with all government services mobilised to provide consular support and push for his liberation as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a wider Moscow effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the past two years.