Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Fuel Plant Using British Storm Shadow Cruise Missiles.
In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to strike a major Russian oil refinery. The attack was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military command.
Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact
The plant in question, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was said to be hit, with "numerous explosions" observed at the location. This represents another instance where Ukraine has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.
Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant serves as one of the primary suppliers of fuel products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.
Political Discussions on the War Front
Separately, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on Thursday that he held productive talks with representatives of former US President Donald Trump, namely Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. These talks centered on possible ways to end the war.
“It was a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “There are some new ideas on how to move toward a genuine peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the timeline.”
Legal Crackdown Within Russia
Meanwhile, in a internal matter, a Russian court has convicted a 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 published backing another group of activists charged with forming a terrorist organisation. Udaltsov has denied the allegations as fabricated and, after the sentencing, stated his intention to go on a hunger strike in defiance.
International Detainee Case
The Kremlin has stated it is engaged with French authorities regarding the case of Laurent Vinatier, a French political scholar currently serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of espionage.
An official said that Russia has made an offer to France regarding Vinatier, and now “the ball is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated he is closely following the situation, with all state resources working to provide consular support and advocate for his release as soon as possible.
Symbolic Reconstruction in Occupied City
The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a devastating bombardment while hundreds of civilians sought refuge in its cellar, is set to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a sign of renewal.
Conversely, former actors from the theatre have called the planned opening as “a macabre spectacle.” The reconstruction is part of a broader Moscow effort to present its administration in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and property seizures from Ukrainian citizens.
It is due to reopen by the end of the month with a show of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.