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

In a significant escalation, Kyiv's forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military command.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

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

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main providers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced 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 end the war.

“It was a really good conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to bring real peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, of course, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has found guilty a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

The charges are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as fabricated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French officials concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

A spokesperson 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 monitoring 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 were sheltering in its basement, is scheduled to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of critics 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 almost from scratch over the past two years.