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

As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the country's military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This marks another instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.

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

Political Discussions on the Conflict

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

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

This case reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Situation

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing new charges of spying.

A spokesperson said 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 confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and property seizures from local residents.

It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the last 24 months.