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Ukraine has announced the commencement of large-scale manufacturing for an innovative locally engineered interceptor drone to strengthen its aerial protection systems. Three initial manufacturers have begun production, with an additional eleven getting ready to set up assembly lines, the defence ministry stated this past Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Tested in Combat Situations

The drones will be based on a domestically developed technology known as “Octopus” designed to neutralize Iranian-made drones. The system has been tested in actual battle and demonstrated successful “at night, amid electronic warfare and at low altitudes,” officials confirmed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set an ambitious goal of manufacturing up to 1,000 defensive drones daily.

Latest Attack on Kyiv Described as Calculated

Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Moscow's most recent assault against Ukraine as “intentional, calculated and wicked” after six people lost their lives and dozens injured in a wave of nocturnal attacks throughout Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv just after midnight on Friday, with enemy UAVs soon heard overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukrainian air defences.

The president stated the nation was targeted by hundreds of UAVs and multiple missiles. Those killed were inside their residences in a block of flats on Kyiv’s left bank when it was hit. Dozens of additional structures sustained damage, among them the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

International Protest Following Diplomatic Compound Destruction

The Azerbaijani government said it delivered a formal objection to Moscow's diplomatic representative on Friday after the embassy damage. The blast from a Moscow's missile destroyed part 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 maintaining operations.

Russian Glide Bomb Manufacturing Sees Significant Increase

Moscow intends to manufacture up to 120,000 glide bombs this year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official disclosed, including 500 of an innovative, longer-range version that is capable of targeting additional urban centers. Russian forces have been launching hundreds of glide bombs per day, with the previous month's average daily usage standing at about 170, based on official military statistics.

Kyiv's Attacks Focus on Moscow's Energy Infrastructure

Moscow's Black Sea port of the port city temporarily suspended oil exports on Friday – equivalent to 2% of worldwide oil production – after a strike by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine’s general staff said its forces had launched domestically produced missiles and used multiple kinds of attack UAVs in the assault against Novorossiysk “within the framework of operations to reduce the strategic capabilities of the invading force.”

Ukrainian forces additionally struck a processing plant in Russia’s Saratov region and a fuel storage facility in nearby Engels during the night.

Global Restrictions Impact Moscow's Oil Producer

The number two oil producer Lukoil said this past Friday it is negotiating with interested parties regarding its foreign assets following recent restrictions from Western nations and failure of an agreement with the Gunvor trading house. “Final arrangements are to be disclosed after the final agreements have been reached and required authorizations are secured,” the company stated.

Zelenskyy Plans Diplomatic Trip to Spain

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the city of Madrid, the Spanish capital, on Tuesday to meet with parliament members a day after his visit to Paris, the chamber of deputies announced. The Ukrainian president will convene with representatives from both chambers of the legislature during his visit, an official announcement said.