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Ukraine has announced the start of large-scale manufacturing for an innovative domestically developed interceptor drone to strengthen its air defences. Three initial producers have started manufacturing, with 11 more getting ready to set up production lines, the defence ministry announced on Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Tested in Combat Situations

The drones will be based on a domestically developed system known as “Octopus” designed to intercept Shahed drones. This technology underwent testing in combat and proved effective “at night, under jamming and flying low,” officials confirmed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established a target of producing up to 1,000 defensive drones daily.

Recent Attack on the Capital Described as Deliberate

Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized Moscow's most recent assault against Ukraine as “intentional, premeditated and brutal” following six individuals were killed and many others wounded in a wave of nocturnal attacks across Kyiv. Alert systems activated in Kyiv just after 12 AM on Friday, with Shahed drones soon detected overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukrainian air defences.

Zelenskyy reported the country was targeted by hundreds of UAVs and multiple missiles. The deceased were inside their residences in a block of flats on Kyiv’s left bank when it was hit. Numerous of other buildings were damaged, among them the Azerbaijani embassy.

Diplomatic Objection Following Embassy Damage

The Azerbaijani government said it issued a strong protest to the Russian ambassador on Friday after the embassy damage. The blast from a Russian Iskander missile demolished a section of the embassy’s perimeter wall and caused significant destruction to the diplomatic compound, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry reported. No one was hurt, and an official representative confirmed the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was maintaining operations.

Moscow's Glide Bomb Manufacturing Sees Major Expansion

Russia intends to manufacture as many as 120,000 guided aerial bombs this year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official disclosed, among them 500 of an innovative, longer-range version that can reach additional urban centers. Moscow's military have been launching hundreds of aerial bombs daily, with last month’s daily average being approximately 170, according to defence ministry data.

Ukrainian Strikes Target Russian Oil Facilities

Russia’s maritime terminal of the port city temporarily suspended crude shipments this past Friday – equivalent to 2% of global supply – after a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Military commanders in Kyiv stated its military had fired Neptune cruise missiles and deployed multiple kinds of attack UAVs in the attack on Novorossiysk “within the framework of operations to reduce the strategic capabilities of the invading force.”

Ukrainian forces separately targeted an oil refinery in the Saratov area and an energy depot in the adjacent Engels region overnight.

Global Sanctions Affect Russian Oil Producer

The number two energy company Lukoil announced on Friday it has been in talks with interested parties regarding its international holdings after last month’s sanctions from the UK and the US and the collapse of an agreement with the Gunvor trading house. “Final arrangements are to be disclosed once conclusive negotiations are completed and the necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained,” the company commented.

Zelenskyy Schedules Diplomatic Trip to Spanish Capital

The Ukrainian leader will visit the Spanish capital, Madrid, next Tuesday to meet with lawmakers following his visit to Paris, the chamber of deputies announced. The Ukrainian president will convene with deputies from both chambers of parliament throughout his stay, the Spanish statement confirmed.