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Ukraine has announced the commencement of mass production for a new locally engineered defensive UAV to enhance its air defences. Three initial producers have begun manufacturing, with an additional eleven preparing to establish production lines, the defence ministry announced on Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Tested in Battlefield Conditions

These UAVs utilize a nationally created technology known as “Octopus” engineered to intercept Iranian-made drones. The system has been tested in combat and proved effective “at night, under jamming and flying low,” the ministry confirmed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set a target of manufacturing up to 1,000 defensive drones each day.

Recent Assault on Kyiv Characterized as Deliberate

Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized Moscow's most recent assault on Ukraine as “deliberate, premeditated and brutal” after six individuals were killed and many others injured in a series of night-time strikes throughout Kyiv. Alert systems sounded in the capital shortly after midnight this past Friday, with enemy UAVs soon heard overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukrainian air defences.

Zelenskyy stated the country was targeted by hundreds of UAVs and multiple missiles. The deceased had been inside their residences in an apartment building on the capital's left bank when it was hit. Dozens of additional structures sustained damage, among them the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

Diplomatic Objection Following Diplomatic Compound Destruction

Azerbaijan announced it issued a strong protest to the Russian ambassador on Friday after the destruction at its diplomatic compound. An explosion from a Russian Iskander missile demolished part of the compound's boundary wall and caused significant destruction to the diplomatic compound, officials from Baku reported. There were no personnel injured, and an official representative confirmed the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was maintaining operations.

Moscow's Glide Bomb Production Experiences Significant Increase

Russia intends to manufacture as many as 120,000 guided aerial bombs in the current year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official said, among them 500 of a new, longer-range version that can reach additional urban centers. Russian forces have been launching 200 to 250 glide bombs daily, with last month’s daily average standing at about 170, according to defence ministry data.

Kyiv's Attacks Focus on Russian Oil Facilities

Moscow's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk halted for a period crude shipments on Friday – representing 2% of worldwide oil production – following a strike by Ukrainian forces. Military commanders in Kyiv stated its military had fired Neptune cruise missiles and used various types of strike drones in the assault against Novorossiysk “as part of efforts to diminish the military and economic potential of the Russian aggressor.”

Ukrainian forces separately struck a processing plant in Russia’s Saratov region and a fuel storage facility in nearby Engels overnight.

Global Sanctions Affect Russian Oil Producer

The number two oil producer Lukoil announced on Friday it has been in talks with interested parties concerning its foreign assets after last month’s sanctions from Western nations and failure of an agreement with commodity trader Gunvor. “The specific deal are to be disclosed once the final agreements are completed and required authorizations are secured,” the company commented.

Ukrainian President Schedules Visit to Spain

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the Spanish capital, the Spanish capital, on Tuesday to meet with lawmakers following his trip to France, the chamber of deputies disclosed. The Ukrainian president will convene with representatives from all houses of parliament during his visit, an official announcement said.