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Ukraine has announced the start of mass production for an innovative locally engineered interceptor drone to strengthen its aerial protection systems. The first three producers have started production, with an additional eleven getting ready to set up production lines, Ukrainian military officials stated on Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Proven in Battlefield Conditions

The drones utilize a nationally created system known as “Octopus” engineered to intercept Iranian-made drones. The system has been tested in combat and proved effective “at night, amid electronic warfare and flying low,” officials stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established an ambitious goal of producing up to 1,000 defensive drones daily.

Latest Attack on the Capital Described as Calculated

The Ukrainian president characterized Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “intentional, calculated and brutal” following six people were killed and dozens wounded in a wave of nocturnal attacks throughout Kyiv. Alert systems activated in Kyiv shortly after midnight this past Friday, with enemy UAVs quickly detected overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

Zelenskyy stated the country was hit 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 sustained damage, including the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

International Protest After Diplomatic Compound Destruction

Azerbaijan announced it delivered a strong protest to Moscow's diplomatic representative on Friday following the embassy damage. An explosion from a Moscow's missile demolished part of the compound's boundary wall and resulted in significant destruction to the embassy grounds, officials from Baku reported. There were no personnel was hurt, and a ministry spokesperson confirmed the Kyiv embassy was continuing to operate.

Russian Glide Bomb Production Sees Significant Increase

Moscow plans to produce up to 120,000 glide bombs this year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official said, among them 500 of a new, extended-range model that is capable of targeting more towns and cities. Russian forces were firing 200 to 250 aerial bombs daily, with the previous month's average daily usage standing at approximately 170, based on defence ministry data.

Ukrainian Strikes Focus on Russian Energy Infrastructure

Moscow's Black Sea port of the port city halted for a period crude shipments on Friday – representing two percent of worldwide oil production – after a strike by Ukrainian forces. Military commanders in Kyiv stated its forces had fired domestically produced missiles and deployed multiple kinds of strike drones in the attack on Novorossiysk “as part of efforts to reduce the strategic capabilities of the invading force.”

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

Global Sanctions Affect Russian Energy Company

Russia’s second-largest energy company Lukoil announced this past Friday it is negotiating with interested parties regarding its foreign assets after recent sanctions from the UK and the US and the collapse of an agreement with the Gunvor trading house. “Final arrangements will be announced once conclusive negotiations have been reached and the necessary regulatory approvals are secured,” the company stated.

Zelenskyy Plans Diplomatic Trip to Spanish Capital

The Ukrainian leader is scheduled to travel to the city of Madrid, the Spanish capital, next Tuesday to meet with parliament members a day after his trip to France, the chamber of deputies disclosed. The Ukrainian president would meet deputies from all houses of parliament during his visit, an official announcement confirmed.