Ukrainian Forces Hit Moscow's Fuel Plant Using British Storm Shadow Missiles.
In a significant military action, Kyiv's forces reportedly used long-range Storm Shadow missiles to target and hit a major Russian oil refinery. The attack occurred on Thursday, according to the country's military authorities.
Attack Particulars and Strategic Impact
The targeted facility, the Novoshakhtinsk refinery, was reportedly hit, with "numerous explosions" recorded at the site. This marks another instance where Ukrainian forces has utilized these advanced British-supplied missiles to hit targets on Russian soil.
Military spokespersons noted that the Novoshakhtinsk plant acts as one of the primary providers of fuel products in southern Russia and is directly involved in supplying the military of the Russian Federation.
Political Discussions on the Conflict
In a related development, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced 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 end the war.
“We had a very productive conversation: numerous specifics, constructive proposals, that we discussed,” Zelenskyy stated on a social media platform. “We explored some fresh concepts on how to bring real peace closer, and it concerns formats, meetings, and, of course, 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, leader of the opposition movement, was given to six years in a penal colony.
This case reportedly stem from an online post Udaltsov published in support of another group of Russian activists charged with forming a terrorist group. Udaltsov has rejected the allegations as politically motivated and, after the sentencing, reportedly announced to begin a hunger strike in protest.
Foreign Prisoner Case
Russian authorities has stated it is in contact with French authorities concerning the fate of Laurent Vinatier, a French researcher currently serving a three-year sentence in Russia and allegedly facing new charges of espionage.
A spokesperson said that Russia has presented a proposal to France in the case of Vinatier, and now “it is in France’s court.” President Emmanuel Macron’s office stated 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
The Mariupol Drama Theatre, which was destroyed in a 2022 Russian airstrike while hundreds of civilians were sheltering in its cellar, is scheduled to reopen. Authorities in control have promoted the rebuilding as a symbol of recovery.
Conversely, former actors from the theatre have denounced the reopening as “a macabre spectacle.” This project is part of a broader Kremlin effort to showcase its rule in seized territories, a process that includes the detention or expulsion of dissenting voices and confiscation of assets from local residents.
It is expected to open by the end of the month with a performance of a classic Russian story, having been rebuilt largely anew over the past two years.