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Ukraine has announced the commencement of large-scale manufacturing for a new domestically developed defensive UAV to enhance its air defences. Three initial producers have begun production, with an additional eleven preparing to set up assembly lines, the defence ministry stated on Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Tested in Battlefield Situations

The drones will be based on a nationally created technology called “Octopus” engineered to intercept Shahed drones. The system underwent testing in combat and proved effective “at night, amid electronic warfare and flying low,” officials stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set an ambitious goal of producing as many as 1,000 interceptors daily.

Recent Assault on Kyiv Characterized as Calculated

The Ukrainian president described Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “intentional, premeditated and wicked” after six individuals were killed and many others injured in a wave of night-time strikes across Kyiv. Alert systems activated in Kyiv just after 12 AM this past Friday, with Shahed drones soon heard overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukrainian air defences.

Zelenskyy reported the country was hit by 430 drones and 18 missiles. The deceased were at home in an apartment building on Kyiv’s left bank during the strike. Numerous of other buildings sustained damage, among them the Azerbaijani embassy.

Diplomatic Protest After Diplomatic Compound Damage

Azerbaijan 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 significant destruction to the diplomatic compound, officials from Baku stated. There were no personnel was hurt, and an official representative confirmed the Kyiv embassy was continuing to operate.

Russian Glide Bomb Production Sees Major Expansion

Moscow plans to produce up to 120,000 guided aerial bombs in the current year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official disclosed, including 500 of a new, longer-range version that is capable of targeting more towns and cities. Russian forces have been launching 200 to 250 glide bombs daily, with last month’s daily average standing at about 170, according to defence ministry data.

Kyiv's Strikes Focus on Russian Energy Infrastructure

Russia’s Black Sea port of the port city halted for a period oil exports on Friday – equivalent to 2% of worldwide oil production – after a strike by Ukrainian forces. Military commanders in Kyiv said its forces had fired domestically produced missiles and used multiple kinds of strike drones in the assault against Novorossiysk “as part of operations to diminish the military and economic potential of the invading force.”

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

International Restrictions Affect Moscow's Oil Producer

Russia’s second-largest energy company Lukoil announced this past Friday it has been in talks with interested parties concerning its international holdings following last month’s restrictions from the UK and the US and failure of a deal with the Gunvor trading house. “The specific deal are to be disclosed after the final agreements have been reached and required authorizations are secured,” the company stated.

Zelenskyy Plans Visit to Spain

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the city of Madrid, Madrid, next Tuesday to meet with parliament members following his visit to Paris, Spanish parliamentary officials disclosed. Zelenskyy will convene with representatives from both chambers of the legislature during his visit, the Spanish statement said.