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Ukraine has announced the commencement of large-scale manufacturing for a new locally engineered interceptor drone to reinforce its aerial protection systems. The first three producers have begun production, with 11 more getting ready to establish production lines, the defence ministry announced on Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Tested in Battlefield Situations

The drones utilize a nationally created system known as “Octopus” designed to neutralize Shahed drones. The system underwent testing in actual battle and demonstrated effective “at night, under jamming and flying low,” the ministry stated. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established a target of producing up to 1,000 defensive drones daily.

Recent Assault on the Capital Described as Calculated

Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine as “deliberate, premeditated and wicked” following six individuals were killed and many others injured in a series of night-time strikes throughout Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded in the capital shortly after 12 AM this past Friday, with enemy UAVs quickly heard overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

Zelenskyy reported the nation was targeted by 430 drones and multiple missiles. The deceased had been at home in a block of flats on the capital's left bank when it was hit. Dozens of other buildings were damaged, among them the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

International Protest Following Embassy Destruction

The Azerbaijani government said it delivered a formal objection to the Russian ambassador on Friday after the destruction at its diplomatic compound. An explosion from a Russian Iskander missile demolished a section of the embassy’s perimeter wall and caused serious damage to the embassy grounds, officials from Baku stated. No one injured, and an official representative confirmed the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was maintaining operations.

Russian Glide Bomb Manufacturing Sees Major Expansion

Moscow intends to produce as many as 120,000 guided aerial bombs this year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official disclosed, including 500 of an innovative, extended-range model that is capable of targeting additional urban centers. Moscow's military were firing hundreds of aerial bombs per day, with the previous month's average daily usage standing at about 170, according to defence ministry data.

Ukrainian Strikes Target Russian Energy Infrastructure

Russia’s Black Sea port of the port city halted for a period oil exports this past Friday – representing 2% of global supply – after a strike by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine’s general staff said its forces had fired Neptune cruise missiles and used multiple kinds of strike drones in the assault against Novorossiysk “as part of operations to diminish the strategic capabilities of the invading force.”

Ukrainian forces separately struck an oil refinery in the Saratov area and a fuel storage facility in nearby Engels during the night.

International Sanctions Impact Russian Oil Producer

The number two oil producer Lukoil announced on Friday it is negotiating with potential buyers regarding its foreign assets following last month’s sanctions from the UK and the US and failure of a deal with the Gunvor trading house. “Final arrangements are to be disclosed after the final agreements have been reached and the necessary regulatory approvals are secured,” the company commented.

Ukrainian President Schedules Visit to Spain

The Ukrainian leader will visit the Spanish capital, the Spanish capital, on Tuesday to confer with parliament members following his visit to Paris, the chamber of deputies disclosed. Zelenskyy would meet representatives from all houses of the legislature throughout his stay, an official announcement said.