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Ukraine has announced the start of mass production for an innovative domestically developed defensive UAV to reinforce its aerial protection systems. Three initial manufacturers have started manufacturing, with 11 more getting ready to set up assembly lines, the defence ministry stated on Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Proven in Combat Conditions

These UAVs will be based on a domestically developed technology called “Octopus” engineered to neutralize Shahed drones. The system underwent testing in actual battle and demonstrated successful “at night, amid electronic warfare and at low altitudes,” the ministry stated. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set an ambitious goal of producing up to 1,000 interceptors daily.

Recent Attack on the Capital Described as Deliberate

The Ukrainian president described Moscow's most recent assault against Ukraine as “deliberate, calculated and wicked” after six people lost their lives and many others injured in a wave of night-time strikes across Kyiv. Alert systems sounded in the capital just after midnight on Friday, with Shahed drones soon detected overhead and heavy machine-gun fire from Ukrainian air defences.

The president reported the country was hit by hundreds of UAVs and 18 missiles. The deceased had been at home in an apartment building on the capital's left bank when it was hit. Dozens of other buildings were damaged, among them the Azerbaijani embassy.

International Protest After Diplomatic Compound Damage

The Azerbaijani government announced it delivered a strong protest to Moscow's diplomatic representative this past Friday following the destruction at its diplomatic compound. An explosion from a Moscow's missile demolished part of the compound's boundary wall and resulted in serious damage to the diplomatic compound, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry stated. There were no personnel injured, and an official representative said the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was continuing to operate.

Moscow's Aerial Bomb Manufacturing Sees Major Expansion

Moscow intends to produce as many as 120,000 glide bombs this year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official said, including 500 of a new, longer-range version that is capable of targeting more towns and cities. Russian forces were firing hundreds of aerial bombs daily, with the previous month's average daily usage standing at about 170, according to defence ministry data.

Kyiv's Attacks Focus on Russian Oil Facilities

Russia’s Black Sea port of the port city temporarily suspended crude shipments on Friday – equivalent to two percent of worldwide oil production – following a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Ukraine’s general staff said its forces had fired Neptune cruise missiles and used various types of attack UAVs in the assault against Novorossiysk “as part of efforts to reduce the strategic capabilities of the invading force.”

Ukrainian forces additionally struck a processing plant in Russia’s Saratov region and an energy depot in the adjacent Engels region overnight.

Global Sanctions Affect Russian Oil Producer

Russia’s second-largest energy company Lukoil announced on Friday it is negotiating with potential buyers regarding its foreign assets following last month’s sanctions from Western nations and the collapse of a deal with the Gunvor trading house. “Final arrangements will be announced once conclusive negotiations are completed and required authorizations are secured,” Lukoil stated.

Zelenskyy Schedules Visit to Spanish Capital

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the city of Madrid, Madrid, next Tuesday to confer with lawmakers following his visit to Paris, Spanish parliamentary officials announced. The Ukrainian president would meet representatives from all houses of the legislature throughout his stay, the Spanish statement said.