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Ukrainian authorities have declared the start of mass production for a new domestically developed interceptor drone to enhance its air defences. Three initial manufacturers have begun manufacturing, with 11 more getting ready to establish assembly lines, the defence ministry announced this past Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Tested in Combat Situations

These UAVs will be based on a domestically developed technology called “Octopus” designed to intercept Iranian-made drones. The system underwent testing in combat and proved successful “during nighttime, amid electronic warfare and at low altitudes,” officials stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set a target of producing up to 1,000 interceptors daily.

Recent Assault on Kyiv Characterized as Deliberate

Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized Moscow's most recent assault against Ukraine as “deliberate, calculated and brutal” after six people lost their lives and dozens wounded in a wave of night-time strikes throughout Kyiv. Alert systems sounded in the capital shortly after 12 AM on Friday, with enemy UAVs quickly heard overhead and heavy machine-gun fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

Zelenskyy reported the country was hit by 430 drones and 18 missiles. Those killed were at home in an apartment building on Kyiv’s left bank when it was hit. Dozens of additional structures were damaged, among them the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

Diplomatic Protest Following Diplomatic Compound Destruction

The Azerbaijani government announced it issued a formal objection to the Russian ambassador on Friday following the embassy damage. An explosion from a Russian Iskander missile demolished a section of the compound's boundary wall and caused significant destruction to the diplomatic compound, officials from Baku stated. There were no personnel injured, and an official representative said the Kyiv embassy was continuing to operate.

Russian Glide Bomb Manufacturing Sees Major Expansion

Moscow plans to produce up to 120,000 guided aerial bombs in the current year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official said, including 500 of an innovative, extended-range model that is capable of targeting more towns and cities. Moscow's military have been launching hundreds of aerial bombs per day, with last month’s daily average being approximately 170, based on defence ministry data.

Kyiv's Strikes Focus on Moscow's Oil Facilities

Moscow's Black Sea port of the port city halted for a period oil exports on Friday – equivalent to two percent of worldwide oil production – after a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Ukraine’s general staff stated its military had fired Neptune cruise missiles and used multiple kinds of attack UAVs in the assault against Novorossiysk “as part of operations to diminish the strategic capabilities of the Russian aggressor.”

Ukraine separately targeted a processing plant in Russia’s Saratov region and an energy depot in the adjacent Engels region overnight.

International Sanctions Affect Russian Energy Company

The number two energy company Lukoil announced on Friday it is negotiating with potential buyers regarding its foreign assets following recent restrictions from Western nations and failure of a deal with commodity trader Gunvor. “Final arrangements will be announced after conclusive negotiations have been reached and required authorizations have been obtained,” the company commented.

Zelenskyy Plans Visit to Spain

The Ukrainian leader is scheduled to travel to the city of Madrid, Madrid, on Tuesday to meet with parliament members a day after his visit to Paris, Spanish parliamentary officials announced. Zelenskyy would meet deputies from all houses of parliament throughout his stay, an official announcement confirmed.