Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Fuel Plant With UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a key Russian oil refinery. This strike occurred on Thursday, according to the country's military command.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the site. This represents another instance where Ukraine has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian territory.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main providers of fuel products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the armed forces 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. These talks centered on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, meetings, and, of course, the schedule.”

Legal Crackdown Inside the Country

In a parallel domestic matter, a court in Russia has convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was sentenced to six years in prison.

This case are said to be based on an online post Udaltsov published backing another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin has stated it is engaged with French officials concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of spying.

A spokesperson 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 stated he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources working to provide consular support and push for his liberation as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have called the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its rule in occupied Ukraine, 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, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.