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

In a significant escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the primary providers of fuel products in Russia's south and is directly involved in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

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

“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns formats, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

In a parallel domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

The charges reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as fabricated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Situation

Russian authorities has stated it is in contact with French officials regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying.

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

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

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