Ukrainian Forces Hit Russian Fuel Plant With British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

In a significant escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military command.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with multiple blasts recorded at the location. This represents another instance where Ukraine has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian soil.

Ukrainian officials noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary suppliers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in providing for the military of the Russian Federation.

Diplomatic Developments on the War Front

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” discussions with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, including 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 stated on a messaging platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to move toward real peace closer, and it concerns approaches, meetings, and, certainly, the timeline.”

Judicial Proceedings Within Russia

Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has found guilty a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, leader of the Left Front movement, was given to six years in prison.

This case are said to be based on an article Udaltsov published backing another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges as fabricated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.

International Detainee Case

Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French officials regarding 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 said that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” French President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is monitoring the situation, with all state resources working to offer assistance and push for his release at the earliest opportunity.

Symbolic Reconstruction in Mariupol

The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the reconstruction as a sign of renewal.

However, previous staff from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its rule in seized territories, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.

The theatre is expected to open by the month's end with a performance of a Russian fairytale, having been rebuilt largely anew over the past two years.