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

As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility acts as one of the primary providers of fuel products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on possible ways to end the war.

“It was a really good conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it concerns formats, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

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

This case reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published backing another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin has stated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

A spokesperson said that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” 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.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to present its rule in seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is expected to open by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the past two years.