🔗 Share this article Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Fuel Plant Using British Storm Shadow Missiles. As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military authorities. Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian soil. Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary providers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation. Political Discussions on the War Front In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive 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 very productive conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.” Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted 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 online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as fabricated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest. International Detainee Case Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying. A spokesperson stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible. Controversial Reopening in Occupied City The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery. However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to showcase its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from local residents. It is due to reopen by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.
As part of a notable escalation, Ukrainian forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. This strike was carried out Thursday, according to the country's military authorities. Details of the Strike and Strategic Impact The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk oil plant, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This represents another instance where Ukrainian forces has deployed these advanced British-supplied missiles against objectives on Russian soil. Ukrainian officials emphasized that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary providers of petrol products in Russia's south and is actively engaged in supplying the military of the Russian Federation. Political Discussions on the War Front In a related development, President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated on Thursday that he held productive 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 very productive conversation: many details, good ideas, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy wrote on a social media platform. “We explored some new ideas on how to move toward real peace closer, and it involves formats, potential summits, and, certainly, the schedule.” Judicial Proceedings Inside the Country Meanwhile, in a domestic matter, a Russian court has convicted 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 online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of activists accused of forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as fabricated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest. International Detainee Case Russian authorities indicated it is in contact with French officials regarding the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher serving a prison term in Russia and allegedly facing additional accusations of spying. A spokesperson stated that Russia has presented a proposal to France regarding Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office confirmed he is closely following the situation, with all state resources mobilised to offer assistance and advocate for his liberation as soon as possible. Controversial Reopening in Occupied City The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was leveled in a 2022 Russian airstrike while many civilians were sheltering in its basement, is set to open its doors again. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery. However, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “dancing on bones.” This project is part of a broader Moscow effort to showcase its rule in occupied Ukraine, a process accompanied by the arrest or exile of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from local residents. It is due to reopen by the month's end with a performance of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the last 24 months.