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Ukraine has announced the start of mass production for a new domestically developed interceptor drone to enhance its air defences. The first three producers have begun production, with an additional eleven getting ready to establish assembly lines, the defence ministry announced this past Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Tested in Combat Situations

These UAVs utilize a domestically developed system known as “Octopus” designed to neutralize Iranian-made drones. The system has been tested in actual battle and proved successful “during nighttime, under jamming and at low altitudes,” the ministry stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set a target of manufacturing as many as 1,000 interceptors each day.

Recent Assault on the Capital Described as Deliberate

Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “deliberate, premeditated and wicked” after six people were killed and dozens injured in a wave of night-time strikes throughout Kyiv. Air raid sirens activated in Kyiv shortly after 12 AM this past Friday, with Shahed drones quickly detected overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukrainian air defences.

Zelenskyy reported the country was targeted by hundreds of UAVs and 18 missiles. Those killed were at home in a block of flats on Kyiv’s left bank when it was hit. Numerous of additional structures were damaged, including the Azerbaijani embassy.

Diplomatic Objection Following Embassy Destruction

Azerbaijan said it delivered a formal objection to Moscow's diplomatic representative on Friday after the embassy damage. The blast from a Russian Iskander missile demolished a section of the embassy’s perimeter wall and resulted in serious damage to the embassy grounds, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry reported. There were no personnel injured, and an official representative said the Kyiv embassy was maintaining operations.

Russian Glide Bomb Production Experiences Major Expansion

Moscow intends to produce as many as 120,000 glide bombs in the current year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official disclosed, among them 500 of an innovative, longer-range version that can reach more towns and cities. Russian forces were firing hundreds of aerial bombs daily, with last month’s average daily usage being approximately 170, according to official military statistics.

Kyiv's Attacks Target Moscow's Oil Facilities

Russia’s Black Sea port of the port city halted for a period oil exports on Friday – representing two percent of worldwide oil production – after a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Ukraine’s general staff said its forces had launched domestically produced missiles and deployed multiple kinds of strike drones in the attack on Novorossiysk “as part of operations to diminish the strategic capabilities of the Russian aggressor.”

Ukraine additionally targeted a processing plant in the Saratov area and a fuel storage facility in nearby Engels during the night.

Global Sanctions Affect Moscow's Energy Company

The number two oil producer Lukoil announced this past Friday it has been in talks with potential buyers regarding its foreign assets following last month’s restrictions from Western nations and failure of an agreement with the Gunvor trading house. “The specific deal are to be disclosed after conclusive negotiations have been reached and required authorizations have been obtained,” the company stated.

Ukrainian President Plans Diplomatic Trip to Spanish Capital

The Ukrainian leader will visit the city of Madrid, Madrid, next Tuesday to meet with lawmakers following his trip to France, the chamber of deputies disclosed. The Ukrainian president will convene with deputies from both chambers of parliament throughout his stay, the Spanish statement said.