Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Fuel Plant Using British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

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

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the site. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives inside Russian territory.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the primary providers of fuel products in Russia's south and is directly involved in providing for 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 envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to end the war.

“It was a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

In a parallel domestic matter, a Russian court has found guilty a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

The charges reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French officials regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of spying.

An official said 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 closely following the situation, with all government services working to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is set to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Moscow effort to showcase its administration in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

It is due to reopen 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.