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

As part of a notable military action, Ukrainian forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the Ukrainian military authorities.

Attack Particulars and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was said to be hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukraine has utilized these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments 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 centered on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a really good conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

This case reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov shared in support of another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Case

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French officials concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing additional accusations of spying.

An official said that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to provide consular support and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while many civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Kremlin effort to showcase its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes 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 Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the last 24 months.