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Ukraine has announced the start of large-scale manufacturing for a new locally engineered interceptor drone to strengthen its air defences. Three initial producers have begun manufacturing, with 11 more preparing to set up assembly lines, the defence ministry stated this past Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Tested in Battlefield Conditions

The drones will be based on a domestically developed system known as “Octopus” engineered to neutralize Shahed drones. The system underwent testing in actual battle and demonstrated effective “during nighttime, under jamming and flying low,” officials confirmed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established an ambitious goal of manufacturing as many as 1,000 defensive drones each day.

Recent Attack on the Capital Described as Deliberate

Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “intentional, calculated and wicked” after six people lost their lives and many others wounded in a wave of night-time strikes throughout Kyiv. Air raid sirens activated in the capital shortly after midnight on Friday, with Shahed drones soon heard overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

The president stated the nation was hit by 430 drones and 18 missiles. Those killed had been inside their residences in an apartment building on the capital's left bank during the strike. Dozens of additional structures were damaged, including the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

International Objection After Diplomatic Compound Destruction

The Azerbaijani government announced it delivered a strong protest to Moscow's diplomatic representative on Friday after the destruction at its diplomatic compound. An explosion from a Russian Iskander missile demolished a section of the compound's boundary wall and caused serious damage to the diplomatic compound, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry stated. No one was hurt, and a ministry spokesperson said the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was continuing to operate.

Moscow's Glide Bomb Manufacturing Sees Major Expansion

Moscow plans to produce as many as 120,000 glide bombs this year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official disclosed, among them 500 of a new, extended-range model that is capable of targeting more towns and cities. Moscow's military have been launching 200 to 250 glide bombs per day, with last month’s average daily usage standing at about 170, based on official military statistics.

Kyiv's Attacks Focus on Moscow's Energy Infrastructure

Moscow's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk halted for a period oil exports on Friday – equivalent to 2% of worldwide oil production – after a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Military commanders in Kyiv said its forces had launched domestically produced missiles and deployed various types of strike drones in the attack on Novorossiysk “within the framework of operations to reduce the strategic capabilities of the invading force.”

Ukraine additionally struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov region and an energy depot in the adjacent Engels region overnight.

Global Sanctions Impact Russian Energy Company

Russia’s second-largest oil producer Lukoil announced on Friday it is negotiating with potential buyers regarding its foreign assets after recent sanctions from Western nations and failure of an agreement with the Gunvor trading house. “Final arrangements will be announced once conclusive negotiations have been reached and required authorizations are secured,” the company stated.

Ukrainian President Schedules Diplomatic Trip to Spanish Capital

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the Spanish capital, the Spanish capital, next Tuesday to meet with lawmakers a day after his visit to Paris, the chamber of deputies announced. Zelenskyy will convene with deputies from all houses of parliament throughout his stay, an official announcement said.