Kyiv Strikes Russian Fuel Plant With British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.

As part of a notable military action, Kyiv's forces have employed long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, according to the Ukrainian military authorities.

Details of the Strike and Military Significance

The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukraine has deployed these powerful British-supplied missiles to hit objectives inside Russian soil.

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

Diplomatic Developments on the Conflict

Separately, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys of former US President Donald Trump, including Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. The conversation centered on potential pathways to end the war.

“We had a very productive conversation: many details, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a messaging platform. “There are some fresh concepts on how to bring a genuine peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, of course, the timeline.”

Legal Crackdown Within Russia

In a parallel internal matter, a Russian court has found guilty a pro-war activist and opponent of Vladimir Putin on charges of supporting terrorist activities. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.

The charges reportedly stem from an article Udaltsov shared backing another group of Russian activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the charges 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 prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying.

An official 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 stated 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 leveled in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to open its doors again. Russian occupation authorities have heralded the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.

However, former actors from the theatre have called the reopening as “dancing on bones.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its administration in seized territories, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from local residents.

The theatre is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction largely anew over the past two years.