Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Fuel Plant Using UK-supplied 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. The attack was carried out Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian territory.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive discussions with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to end the war.

“It was a really good conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has found guilty a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

This case are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov shared in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Case

Russian authorities indicated it is in contact 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 stated that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians sought refuge 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 “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to showcase its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

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