Kyiv Strikes Moscow's Fuel Plant With British Storm Shadow Missiles.
In a significant escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used British-made Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil processing facility. This strike was carried out Thursday, as stated by the country's military authorities.
Attack Particulars and Military Significance
The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the location. This marks not the first instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets inside Russian territory.
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 supplying the military of the Russian Federation.
Political Discussions on the Conflict
Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held “very good” talks with envoys 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.
“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote 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.”
Legal Crackdown Inside the Country
Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has found guilty a pro-war activist and critic of Vladimir Putin on charges of justifying terrorism. Sergei Udaltsov, head of the opposition movement, was given to six years in prison.
The charges reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov shared in support of another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the charges as fabricated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to begin a hunger strike in defiance.
Foreign Prisoner Case
Russian authorities has stated it is engaged with French authorities regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a prison term in Russia and reportedly facing new charges 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.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources working to offer assistance and push for his liberation as soon as possible.
Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City
A theatre in Mariupol, which was leveled in a devastating bombardment while many civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is set to reopen. Russian occupation authorities have promoted 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 showcase its rule in seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of critics and confiscation of assets from Ukrainian citizens.
It is expected to open by the month's end with a show of a classic Russian story, following its reconstruction almost from scratch over the last 24 months.
