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Ukraine has announced the start of large-scale manufacturing for an innovative locally engineered interceptor drone to enhance its air defences. The first three manufacturers have started production, with 11 more getting ready to establish production lines, the defence ministry announced this past Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Tested in Battlefield Situations

These UAVs will be based on a nationally created technology known as “Octopus” engineered to neutralize Shahed drones. This technology underwent testing in combat and proved successful “during nighttime, amid electronic warfare and at low altitudes,” officials stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set an ambitious goal of producing up to 1,000 defensive drones each day.

Recent Assault on Kyiv Described as Calculated

Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine as “deliberate, calculated and wicked” after six individuals lost their lives and many others injured in a wave of nocturnal attacks throughout Kyiv. Alert systems sounded in the capital just after 12 AM this past Friday, with enemy UAVs quickly detected overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

Zelenskyy reported the nation was hit by 430 drones and 18 missiles. Those killed had been inside their residences in an apartment building on Kyiv’s left bank when it was hit. Dozens of additional structures were damaged, including the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

International Objection Following Embassy Destruction

The Azerbaijani government said it delivered a strong protest to Moscow's diplomatic representative on Friday following the destruction at its diplomatic compound. An explosion from a Moscow's missile demolished a section of the compound's boundary wall and resulted in serious damage to the embassy grounds, officials from Baku reported. There were no personnel was hurt, and an official representative confirmed the Kyiv embassy was maintaining operations.

Russian Glide Bomb Production Sees Significant Increase

Russia plans to produce up to 120,000 guided aerial bombs this year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official said, among them 500 of a new, extended-range model that can reach additional urban centers. Russian forces were firing hundreds of aerial bombs per day, with the previous month's average daily usage standing at approximately 170, based on defence ministry data.

Ukrainian Strikes Focus on Moscow's Oil Facilities

Russia’s maritime terminal of the port city halted for a period crude shipments this past Friday – representing two percent of worldwide oil production – following a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Ukraine’s general staff stated its military had fired Neptune cruise missiles and deployed multiple kinds of attack UAVs in the attack on Novorossiysk “as part of operations to reduce the strategic capabilities of the Russian aggressor.”

Ukrainian forces separately targeted a processing plant in Russia’s Saratov region and an energy depot in nearby Engels during the night.

International Sanctions Impact Moscow's Energy Company

Russia’s second-largest energy company Lukoil announced this past Friday it has been in talks with potential buyers regarding its international holdings following last month’s restrictions from the UK and the US and failure of a deal with commodity trader Gunvor. “The specific deal will be announced after conclusive negotiations have been reached and required authorizations are secured,” the company stated.

Ukrainian President Plans Diplomatic Trip to Spanish Capital

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the Spanish capital, Madrid, on Tuesday to meet with lawmakers a day after his visit to Paris, Spanish parliamentary officials announced. The Ukrainian president would meet representatives from all houses of parliament throughout his stay, the Spanish statement said.