Kyiv Strikes Russian Fuel Plant With UK-supplied Storm Shadow Missiles.

As part of a notable military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. The attack occurred on Thursday, as stated by the country's military command.

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 Ukrainian forces has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian territory.

Military spokespersons emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the primary providers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged 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” talks with representatives of ex-President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks focused on potential pathways 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 new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.”

Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country

Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.

This case reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov published backing another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as fabricated and, following the verdict, reportedly announced to go on a hunger strike in defiance.

Foreign Prisoner Case

Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French officials regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

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 closely following the situation, with all government services working to offer assistance and advocate for his release as soon as possible.

Controversial Reopening in Mariupol

A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.

Conversely, previous staff from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a wider Moscow effort to showcase its rule in seized territories, a process that includes the arrest or exile of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

It is expected to open by the end of the month with a performance of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.