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Ukraine has announced the start of large-scale manufacturing for an innovative domestically developed interceptor drone to enhance its air defences. Three initial producers have begun manufacturing, with 11 more getting ready to set up assembly lines, the defence ministry announced on Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Proven in Combat Conditions

These UAVs utilize a domestically developed technology known as “Octopus” engineered to intercept Shahed drones. The system underwent testing in actual battle and demonstrated effective “during nighttime, under jamming and flying low,” the ministry stated. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set a target of producing as many as 1,000 defensive drones daily.

Latest Attack on the Capital Characterized as Deliberate

The Ukrainian president characterized Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine as “deliberate, calculated and brutal” after six people were killed and many others injured in a wave of night-time strikes across Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv shortly after midnight this past Friday, with Shahed drones quickly heard overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

Zelenskyy reported the country was hit by hundreds of UAVs and 18 missiles. Those killed were inside their residences in a block of flats on Kyiv’s left bank during the strike. Dozens of other buildings were damaged, among them the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

Diplomatic Objection Following Diplomatic Compound Destruction

The Azerbaijani government said it delivered a formal objection to the Russian ambassador this past Friday following the embassy damage. The blast from a Russian Iskander missile destroyed part of the embassy’s perimeter wall and caused significant destruction to the diplomatic compound, officials from Baku stated. There were no personnel was hurt, and a ministry spokesperson confirmed the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was maintaining operations.

Russian Aerial Bomb Production Experiences Significant Increase

Moscow intends to produce up to 120,000 guided aerial bombs this year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official said, including 500 of an innovative, extended-range model that can reach additional urban centers. Russian forces were firing 200 to 250 aerial bombs per day, with last month’s average daily usage standing at approximately 170, according to defence ministry data.

Ukrainian Attacks Target Moscow's Energy Infrastructure

Russia’s Black Sea port of the port city halted for a period crude shipments on Friday – equivalent to two percent of global supply – after a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Ukraine’s general staff said its military had fired Neptune cruise missiles and used multiple kinds of attack UAVs in the assault against Novorossiysk “as part of operations to reduce the military and economic potential of the invading force.”

Ukrainian forces separately struck a processing plant in Russia’s Saratov region and an energy depot in nearby Engels overnight.

Global Sanctions Impact Moscow's Oil Producer

The number two oil producer Lukoil announced this past Friday it is negotiating with interested parties concerning its foreign assets following last month’s sanctions from the UK and the US and the collapse of a deal with commodity trader Gunvor. “Final arrangements are to be disclosed after the final agreements have been reached and required authorizations are secured,” the company commented.

Ukrainian President Plans Diplomatic Trip to Spain

The Ukrainian leader will visit the city of Madrid, the Spanish capital, on Tuesday to confer with parliament members following his trip to France, the chamber of deputies disclosed. Zelenskyy would meet representatives from all houses of parliament throughout his stay, an official announcement said.