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Ukrainian authorities have declared the start of mass production for an innovative locally engineered defensive UAV to strengthen its aerial protection systems. Three initial producers have started production, with 11 more getting ready to establish production lines, Ukrainian military officials stated on Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Tested in Combat Conditions

The drones will be based on a domestically developed technology called “Octopus” engineered to neutralize Iranian-made drones. The system has been tested in combat and demonstrated successful “at night, amid electronic warfare and at low altitudes,” officials stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set an ambitious goal of manufacturing as many as 1,000 interceptors each day.

Recent Assault on the Capital Described as Calculated

Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Moscow's most recent assault against Ukraine as “intentional, calculated and wicked” after six people were killed and dozens injured in a wave of night-time strikes across Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded in the capital shortly after midnight this past Friday, with enemy UAVs soon heard overhead and heavy machine-gun fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

The president reported the nation was targeted by 430 drones and multiple missiles. Those killed were at home in a block of flats on Kyiv’s left bank during the strike. Dozens of additional structures were damaged, including the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

Diplomatic Objection Following Embassy Damage

Azerbaijan announced it delivered a strong protest to the Russian ambassador this past Friday following the destruction at its diplomatic compound. The blast from a Moscow's missile destroyed part of the compound's boundary wall and resulted in serious damage to the embassy grounds, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry stated. There were no personnel injured, and an official representative said the Kyiv embassy was continuing to operate.

Moscow's Aerial Bomb Production Sees Major Expansion

Moscow plans to produce as many as 120,000 guided aerial bombs in the current year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official said, among them 500 of a new, longer-range version that can reach additional urban centers. Moscow's military have been launching 200 to 250 glide bombs daily, with the previous month's daily average standing at about 170, based on official military statistics.

Kyiv's Strikes Focus on Russian Oil Facilities

Russia’s maritime terminal of Novorossiysk temporarily suspended oil exports on Friday – representing 2% of global supply – following a strike by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine’s general staff stated its military had fired Neptune cruise missiles and deployed multiple kinds of attack UAVs in the attack on Novorossiysk “within the framework of efforts to reduce the military and economic potential of the Russian aggressor.”

Ukrainian forces separately targeted a processing plant in Russia’s Saratov region and an energy depot in nearby Engels overnight.

International Sanctions Impact Moscow's Oil Producer

The number two energy company Lukoil announced this past Friday it has been in talks with potential buyers regarding its foreign assets after last month’s sanctions from Western nations and failure of a deal with the Gunvor trading house. “The specific deal are to be disclosed once conclusive negotiations have been reached and the necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained,” the company stated.

Ukrainian President Plans Visit to Spain

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to travel to the Spanish capital, Madrid, next Tuesday to meet with parliament members following his trip to France, the chamber of deputies announced. Zelenskyy will convene with deputies from all houses of parliament throughout his stay, an official announcement confirmed.