Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Fuel Plant With British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

In a significant military action, Ukrainian forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack was carried out Thursday, as stated by the country's military command.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This marks not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

The charges reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published backing another group of 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 defiance.

International Detainee Situation

The Kremlin indicated it is in contact 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.

An official stated that Russia has made an offer 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 provide consular support and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project 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 local residents.

It is expected to open by the month's end with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.