Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Fuel Plant Using British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a key Russian oil processing facility. This strike occurred on Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts observed at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against targets inside Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the primary suppliers 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 War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a really good conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some new ideas on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in prison.

This case reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov shared in support of another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as fabricated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.

Foreign Prisoner Situation

Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of espionage.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has made an offer to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is monitoring the situation, with all government services mobilised to offer assistance and push for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by 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, following its reconstruction largely anew over the last 24 months.