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

As part of a notable escalation, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major 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 oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This represents not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main suppliers of fuel products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves formats, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

In a parallel domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

This case reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

The Kremlin indicated it is engaged with French officials concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

An official said 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 confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and push for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

However, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the planned opening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Kremlin effort to showcase its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the detention or expulsion 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 Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt largely anew over the past two years.