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

As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the location. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials emphasized 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 military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a domestic 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.

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

International Detainee Case

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French officials concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of spying.

An official said that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources working to offer assistance and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from local residents.

The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.