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Ukrainian authorities have declared the commencement of large-scale manufacturing for a new locally engineered interceptor drone to reinforce its air defences. The first three producers have started manufacturing, with 11 more preparing to establish production lines, Ukrainian military officials announced this past Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Tested in Combat Situations

These UAVs will be based on a nationally created system called “Octopus” engineered to neutralize Shahed drones. This technology underwent testing in actual battle and demonstrated successful “during nighttime, amid electronic warfare and at low altitudes,” officials confirmed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established a target of producing up to 1,000 interceptors daily.

Recent Attack on the Capital Described as Deliberate

Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “deliberate, premeditated and brutal” after six people were killed and many others wounded in a wave of night-time strikes across Kyiv. Alert systems sounded in the capital just after midnight on Friday, with enemy UAVs soon detected overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

The president reported the nation was hit by hundreds of UAVs and multiple missiles. The deceased were inside their residences in an apartment building on Kyiv’s left bank when it was hit. Numerous of other buildings sustained damage, among them the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

International Protest Following Embassy Destruction

The Azerbaijani government said it delivered a formal objection to Moscow's diplomatic representative on Friday after the destruction at its diplomatic compound. An explosion from a Russian Iskander missile destroyed part of the compound's boundary wall and caused significant destruction to the embassy grounds, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry reported. No one injured, and a ministry spokesperson said the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was maintaining operations.

Moscow's Glide Bomb Manufacturing Sees Significant Increase

Russia plans to manufacture as many as 120,000 glide bombs this year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official disclosed, including 500 of a new, longer-range version that can reach more towns and cities. Russian forces were firing hundreds of glide bombs per day, with last month’s daily average standing at approximately 170, based on defence ministry data.

Ukrainian Attacks Focus on Moscow's Oil Facilities

Moscow's maritime terminal of Novorossiysk halted for a period crude shipments on Friday – representing two percent of worldwide oil production – following a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Ukraine’s general staff stated its military had launched domestically produced missiles and used various types of attack UAVs 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 the Saratov area and a fuel storage facility in nearby Engels during the night.

International Restrictions Impact Moscow's Oil Producer

The number two oil producer Lukoil said on Friday it is negotiating with potential buyers regarding its foreign assets following recent sanctions from Western nations and failure of an agreement with commodity trader Gunvor. “Final arrangements are to be disclosed once the final agreements are completed and the necessary regulatory approvals are secured,” the company stated.

Zelenskyy Schedules Diplomatic Trip to Spain

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the city of Madrid, the Spanish capital, next Tuesday to meet with parliament members a day after his trip to France, Spanish parliamentary officials disclosed. Zelenskyy will convene with representatives from all houses of parliament during his visit, the Spanish statement said.