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Ukraine has announced the commencement of mass production for an innovative locally engineered defensive UAV to enhance its air defences. Three initial producers have started production, with 11 more preparing to set up production lines, the defence ministry stated this past Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Proven in Combat Conditions

These UAVs will be based on a nationally created technology known as “Octopus” engineered to neutralize Iranian-made drones. The system has been tested in combat and proved successful “at night, amid electronic warfare and at low altitudes,” officials stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set a target of manufacturing as many as 1,000 defensive drones each day.

Recent Attack on the Capital Characterized as Deliberate

The Ukrainian president characterized Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “deliberate, calculated and wicked” following six people were killed and dozens wounded in a series of nocturnal attacks across Kyiv. Air raid sirens activated in the capital just after 12 AM on Friday, with Shahed drones quickly heard overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukrainian air defences.

The president stated the country was targeted by hundreds of UAVs and multiple missiles. Those killed were at home in an apartment building on Kyiv’s left bank when it was hit. Numerous of additional structures were damaged, including the Azerbaijani embassy.

International Protest Following Diplomatic Compound Damage

The Azerbaijani government said it delivered a strong protest to Moscow's diplomatic representative on Friday after the embassy damage. The blast from a Moscow's missile demolished a section of the compound's boundary wall and caused significant destruction to the embassy grounds, officials from Baku stated. There were no personnel was hurt, and an official representative confirmed the Kyiv embassy was maintaining operations.

Russian Glide Bomb Production Experiences Major Expansion

Russia plans to manufacture up to 120,000 glide bombs in the current year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official disclosed, including 500 of an innovative, extended-range model that is capable of targeting more towns and cities. Russian forces were firing 200 to 250 aerial bombs per day, with the previous month's daily average being approximately 170, based on defence ministry data.

Ukrainian Attacks Target Russian Energy Infrastructure

Russia’s maritime terminal of Novorossiysk halted for a period oil exports this past Friday – representing 2% of worldwide oil production – following a strike by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine’s general staff stated its forces had fired domestically produced missiles and used various types of attack UAVs in the assault against Novorossiysk “as part of efforts to diminish the strategic capabilities of the Russian aggressor.”

Ukraine separately struck a processing plant in Russia’s Saratov region and a fuel storage facility in the adjacent Engels region during the night.

Global Restrictions Affect Moscow's Energy Company

Russia’s second-largest energy company Lukoil said this past Friday it is negotiating with potential buyers concerning its foreign assets following recent restrictions from Western nations and failure of an agreement with commodity trader Gunvor. “The specific deal are to be disclosed after conclusive negotiations are completed and the necessary regulatory approvals are secured,” the company stated.

Zelenskyy Schedules Diplomatic Trip to Spain

Volodymyr Zelenskyy is scheduled to travel to the Spanish capital, the Spanish capital, on Tuesday to confer with parliament members a day after his trip to France, the chamber of deputies disclosed. The Ukrainian president would meet representatives from both chambers of parliament during his visit, the Spanish statement said.