Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Fuel Plant With UK-supplied Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

As part of a notable military action, Kyiv's forces have employed British-made Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. This strike 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 "numerous explosions" observed at the site. This represents not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles against targets on Russian soil.

Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the main providers of petrol products in southern Russia and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.

Political Discussions on the Conflict

In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation focused on potential pathways to bring the conflict to a close.

“It was a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, potential summits, and, of course, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

In a parallel domestic matter, a court in Russia has found guilty a pro-war 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 prison.

The charges are said to be based on an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as fabricated and, following the verdict, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in protest.

International Detainee Case

Russian authorities has stated 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 stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all government services working to provide consular support and push for his release as soon as possible.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from local residents.

It is due to reopen by the month's end with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the past two years.