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

In a significant military action, 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 country's military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the site. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk facility serves as one of the main suppliers of petrol products in southern Russia and is directly involved in providing for the armed forces of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the War Front

Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with envoys of ex-President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on possible ways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a really good conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it involves approaches, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

In a parallel internal 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 a penal colony.

The charges reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov shared backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Situation

The Kremlin has stated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of espionage.

A spokesperson stated that Russia has made an offer 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 government services mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation at the earliest opportunity.

Controversial Reopening in Occupied City

A theatre in Mariupol, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its basement, is scheduled to open its doors again. Authorities in control have heralded the reconstruction as a symbol of recovery.

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a wider Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and property seizures from local residents.

It is expected to open by the end of the month with a show of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt almost from scratch over the past two years.