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Ukrainian authorities have declared the commencement of large-scale manufacturing for a new locally engineered interceptor drone to strengthen its air defences. The first three manufacturers have begun manufacturing, with 11 more getting ready to set up production lines, Ukrainian military officials announced on Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Tested in Battlefield Conditions

These UAVs utilize a domestically developed system called “Octopus” engineered to neutralize Iranian-made drones. The system underwent testing in actual battle and demonstrated effective “during nighttime, amid electronic warfare and at low altitudes,” officials stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set an ambitious goal of producing as many as 1,000 defensive drones each day.

Latest Attack on the Capital Described as Deliberate

Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine as “deliberate, calculated and wicked” following six people were killed and many others wounded in a wave of nocturnal attacks across Kyiv. Air raid sirens activated in the capital just after midnight on Friday, with Shahed drones quickly detected overhead and heavy machine-gun fire from Ukrainian air defences.

Zelenskyy reported the nation was targeted by 430 drones and 18 missiles. Those killed were at home in a block of flats on the capital's left bank when it was hit. Dozens of additional structures sustained damage, among them the Azerbaijani embassy.

International Protest Following Embassy Damage

Azerbaijan said it issued a strong protest to the Russian ambassador this past Friday following the embassy damage. An explosion from a Moscow's missile demolished a section of the embassy’s perimeter wall and resulted in significant destruction to the diplomatic compound, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry stated. No one injured, and an official representative said the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was continuing to operate.

Russian Aerial Bomb Production Sees Major Expansion

Moscow plans to manufacture as many as 120,000 glide bombs in the current year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official said, among them 500 of an innovative, longer-range version that can reach more towns and cities. Russian forces have been launching 200 to 250 aerial bombs daily, with last month’s average daily usage standing at approximately 170, based on official military statistics.

Ukrainian Attacks Target Moscow's Oil Facilities

Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk halted for a period oil exports this past Friday – equivalent to two percent of worldwide oil production – following a strike by Ukrainian forces. Military commanders in Kyiv stated its forces had fired domestically produced missiles and used multiple kinds of strike drones in the assault against Novorossiysk “within the framework of operations to reduce the strategic capabilities of the invading force.”

Ukraine additionally struck an oil refinery in the Saratov area and an energy depot in nearby Engels during the night.

Global Sanctions Impact Russian Energy Company

The number two energy company Lukoil announced on Friday it has been in talks with interested parties regarding its foreign assets after last month’s sanctions from the UK and the US and failure of an agreement with the Gunvor trading house. “Final arrangements will be announced after conclusive negotiations have been reached and the necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained,” Lukoil stated.

Ukrainian President Plans Visit to Spain

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to travel to the city of Madrid, the Spanish capital, next Tuesday to confer with parliament members a day after his visit to Paris, the chamber of deputies announced. Zelenskyy would meet deputies from both chambers of parliament during his visit, an official announcement confirmed.