Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Fuel Plant Using UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

As part of a notable military action, Kyiv's forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

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 powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main suppliers of fuel products in southern Russia and is directly involved in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced 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 end the war.

“It was 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 a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has found guilty a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was sentenced to six years in a penal colony.

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

International Detainee Situation

The Kremlin indicated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

An official stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have heralded the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the planned opening 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 dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.

It is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a Russian fairytale, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.