Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Fuel Plant With UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant escalation, Ukrainian forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, as stated by the country's military command.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This represents another instance where Ukraine has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian soil.

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

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive discussions with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on possible ways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

The charges are said to be based on an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of activists accused of 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

The Kremlin has stated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar 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 in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all government services working to offer assistance 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 basement, is set to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its rule in seized territories, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and property seizures from local residents.

The theatre is expected to open by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the last 24 months.