🔗 Share this article

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

Advanced 'Octopus' System Tested in Combat Conditions

These UAVs will be based on a nationally created technology called “Octopus” engineered to neutralize Iranian-made drones. The system underwent testing in actual battle and demonstrated successful “at night, under jamming and flying low,” the ministry stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established an ambitious goal of producing as many as 1,000 interceptors each day.

Recent Assault on the Capital Described as Calculated

The Ukrainian president described Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “deliberate, calculated and wicked” following six people lost their lives and dozens wounded in a series of night-time strikes throughout Kyiv. Air raid sirens activated in the capital just after midnight on Friday, with enemy UAVs quickly heard overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

The president stated the country was hit by 430 drones and multiple missiles. Those killed were at home in a block of flats on Kyiv’s left bank during the strike. Dozens of additional structures sustained damage, among them the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

International Objection Following Embassy Damage

The Azerbaijani government announced it issued a formal objection to Moscow's diplomatic representative on Friday after the embassy damage. An explosion from a Russian Iskander missile demolished part of the compound's boundary wall and resulted in significant destruction to the diplomatic compound, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry reported. There were no personnel was hurt, and a ministry spokesperson confirmed the Kyiv embassy was continuing to operate.

Russian Aerial Bomb Production Experiences Significant Increase

Russia intends to produce as many as 120,000 guided aerial bombs in the current year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official said, among them 500 of a new, longer-range version that is capable of targeting additional urban centers. Russian forces have been launching 200 to 250 glide bombs daily, with the previous month's average daily usage standing at about 170, based on official military statistics.

Kyiv's Attacks Target Russian Energy Infrastructure

Moscow's maritime terminal of Novorossiysk temporarily suspended crude shipments this past Friday – equivalent to 2% of worldwide oil production – after a strike by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine’s general staff said its forces had launched Neptune cruise missiles and deployed various types of strike drones in the assault against Novorossiysk “within the framework of efforts to reduce the military and economic potential of the invading force.”

Ukraine additionally struck a processing plant in Russia’s Saratov region and a fuel storage facility in the adjacent Engels region during the night.

Global Restrictions Affect Moscow's Oil Producer

The number two oil producer Lukoil said on Friday it has been in talks with interested parties regarding its foreign assets following recent restrictions from Western nations and the collapse of a deal with commodity trader Gunvor. “The specific deal will be announced once conclusive negotiations have been reached and the necessary regulatory approvals are secured,” the company stated.

Ukrainian President Plans Diplomatic Trip to Spanish Capital

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the Spanish capital, the Spanish capital, next Tuesday to confer with lawmakers following his visit to Paris, Spanish parliamentary officials disclosed. The Ukrainian president would meet representatives from all houses of the legislature during his visit, an official announcement said.