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Ukraine has announced the start of large-scale manufacturing for an innovative locally engineered interceptor drone to reinforce its air defences. The first three producers have begun production, with 11 more getting ready to set up production lines, the defence ministry stated on Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Proven in Combat Situations

These UAVs will be based on a nationally created technology known as “Octopus” engineered to intercept Iranian-made drones. This technology has been tested in combat and demonstrated effective “at night, under jamming and flying low,” the ministry stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set a target of manufacturing up to 1,000 defensive drones each day.

Latest Assault on Kyiv Described as Deliberate

Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Moscow's most recent assault against Ukraine as “intentional, calculated and wicked” following six individuals were killed and many others injured in a wave of night-time strikes across Kyiv. Alert systems activated in the capital just after midnight this past Friday, with Shahed drones quickly detected overhead and heavy machine-gun fire from Ukrainian air defences.

The president 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 additional structures sustained damage, among them the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

Diplomatic Objection After Embassy Damage

The Azerbaijani government said it delivered a strong protest to Moscow's diplomatic representative this past Friday following the destruction at its diplomatic compound. An explosion from a Moscow's missile demolished a section of the embassy’s perimeter wall and resulted in significant destruction to the embassy grounds, officials from Baku reported. No one injured, and a ministry spokesperson said the Kyiv embassy was continuing to operate.

Moscow's Aerial Bomb Production Sees Major Expansion

Moscow intends to produce as many as 120,000 glide bombs in the current year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official said, including 500 of a new, extended-range model that can reach more towns and cities. Moscow's military were firing hundreds of glide bombs per day, with last month’s average daily usage standing at approximately 170, according to defence ministry data.

Kyiv's Attacks Focus on Moscow's Energy Infrastructure

Moscow's Black Sea port of the port city halted for a period oil exports on Friday – representing two percent of global supply – following a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Military commanders in Kyiv stated its forces had launched domestically produced missiles and deployed various types of attack UAVs in the assault against Novorossiysk “within the framework of operations to reduce the military and economic potential of the Russian aggressor.”

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

International Sanctions Affect Russian Energy Company

The number two energy company Lukoil said on Friday it is negotiating with interested parties regarding its international holdings following recent restrictions from the UK and the US and failure of an agreement with the Gunvor trading house. “The specific deal are to be disclosed once conclusive negotiations have been reached and the necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained,” the company commented.

Ukrainian President Plans Diplomatic Trip to Spanish Capital

The Ukrainian leader is scheduled to travel to the city of Madrid, the Spanish capital, on Tuesday to confer with lawmakers following his trip to France, Spanish parliamentary officials disclosed. The Ukrainian president would meet representatives from both chambers of the legislature throughout his stay, an official announcement confirmed.