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Ukraine has announced the start of mass production for an innovative domestically developed interceptor drone to strengthen its air defences. Three initial manufacturers have begun manufacturing, with 11 more preparing to establish production lines, the defence ministry stated on Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Proven in Battlefield Situations

These UAVs will be based on a domestically developed system known as “Octopus” designed to neutralize Iranian-made drones. The system has been tested in actual battle and demonstrated successful “during nighttime, amid electronic warfare and flying low,” officials confirmed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established an ambitious goal of manufacturing as many as 1,000 interceptors daily.

Latest Attack on Kyiv Characterized as Deliberate

The Ukrainian president described Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine as “intentional, premeditated and wicked” following six people lost their lives and dozens injured in a series of night-time strikes throughout Kyiv. Air raid sirens activated in Kyiv just after midnight this past Friday, with Shahed drones soon heard overhead and heavy machine-gun fire from Ukrainian air defences.

The president reported the nation was targeted by hundreds of UAVs and 18 missiles. Those killed had been inside their residences in a block of flats on Kyiv’s left bank during the strike. Dozens of additional structures were damaged, among them the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

International Protest Following Embassy Damage

The Azerbaijani government announced it delivered a strong protest to the Russian ambassador this past Friday following the embassy damage. An explosion from a Russian Iskander missile demolished a section of the compound's boundary wall and resulted in significant destruction to the diplomatic compound, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry reported. There were no personnel was hurt, and an official representative confirmed the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was continuing to operate.

Russian Aerial Bomb Manufacturing Sees Significant Increase

Russia intends to manufacture up to 120,000 guided aerial bombs in the current year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official said, among them 500 of a new, longer-range version that can reach additional urban centers. Moscow's military have been launching hundreds of glide bombs per day, with last month’s average daily usage being about 170, according to official military statistics.

Kyiv's Strikes Target Moscow's Oil Facilities

Russia’s Black Sea port of the port city temporarily suspended crude shipments this past Friday – representing 2% of worldwide oil production – after a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Military commanders in Kyiv said its forces had launched Neptune cruise missiles and deployed multiple kinds of strike drones in the attack on Novorossiysk “as part of operations to reduce the strategic capabilities of the invading force.”

Ukrainian forces separately struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov region and a fuel storage facility in the adjacent Engels region overnight.

Global Restrictions Affect Moscow's Energy Company

Russia’s second-largest oil producer Lukoil announced on Friday it has been in talks with interested parties regarding its international holdings after last month’s restrictions from the UK and the US and failure of a deal with commodity trader Gunvor. “Final arrangements will be announced after the final agreements have been reached and the necessary regulatory approvals are secured,” Lukoil stated.

Ukrainian President Schedules Visit to Spanish Capital

The Ukrainian leader will visit the city of Madrid, the Spanish capital, next Tuesday to confer with parliament members a day after his visit to Paris, Spanish parliamentary officials announced. The Ukrainian president would meet representatives from all houses of the legislature throughout his stay, an official announcement confirmed.