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Ukraine has announced the start of large-scale manufacturing for a new locally engineered defensive UAV to reinforce its air defences. The first three manufacturers have begun production, with an additional eleven getting ready to set up assembly lines, Ukrainian military officials announced this past Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Proven in Battlefield Situations

These UAVs will be based on a domestically developed technology known as “Octopus” designed to neutralize Shahed drones. This technology has been tested in combat and demonstrated effective “during nighttime, under jamming and at low altitudes,” officials stated. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set a target of producing as many as 1,000 defensive drones daily.

Recent Assault on Kyiv Characterized as Deliberate

Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “intentional, calculated and wicked” following six people lost their lives and dozens wounded in a wave of night-time strikes throughout Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded in the capital shortly after 12 AM this past Friday, with enemy UAVs soon heard overhead and heavy machine-gun fire from Ukrainian air defences.

The president stated the nation was targeted by hundreds of UAVs and multiple missiles. The deceased were inside their residences in an apartment building on the capital's left bank when it was hit. Numerous of additional structures were damaged, among them the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

International Objection After Diplomatic Compound Destruction

The Azerbaijani government said it delivered a strong protest to Moscow's diplomatic representative this past Friday following the embassy damage. An explosion from a Russian Iskander missile destroyed part of the compound's boundary wall and resulted in serious damage to the diplomatic compound, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry stated. No one injured, and a ministry spokesperson said the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was continuing to operate.

Russian Glide Bomb Manufacturing Experiences Significant Increase

Russia plans to produce up to 120,000 glide bombs in the current year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official said, including 500 of an innovative, longer-range version that can reach more towns and cities. Moscow's military have been launching 200 to 250 glide bombs daily, with last month’s average daily usage standing at approximately 170, based on defence ministry data.

Ukrainian Attacks Target Russian Energy Infrastructure

Moscow's maritime terminal of Novorossiysk temporarily suspended oil exports on Friday – representing 2% of worldwide oil production – after a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Military commanders in Kyiv stated its military had fired Neptune cruise missiles and used multiple kinds of strike drones in the attack on Novorossiysk “within the framework of efforts to reduce the military and economic potential of the invading force.”

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

International Sanctions Affect Russian Oil Producer

Russia’s second-largest energy company Lukoil announced on Friday it is negotiating with interested parties concerning its international holdings after last month’s sanctions from Western nations and the collapse of an agreement with commodity trader Gunvor. “The specific deal will be announced once the final agreements have been reached and the necessary regulatory approvals are secured,” the company stated.

Ukrainian President Plans Visit to Spain

The Ukrainian leader will visit the Spanish capital, Madrid, next Tuesday to meet with lawmakers a day after his trip to France, Spanish parliamentary officials disclosed. The Ukrainian president will convene with representatives from all houses of parliament throughout his stay, the Spanish statement confirmed.