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Ukraine has announced the start of mass production for an innovative domestically developed interceptor drone to strengthen its aerial protection systems. The first three producers have begun manufacturing, with 11 more preparing to establish production lines, the defence ministry announced on Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Proven in Combat Situations

The drones will be based on a domestically developed system known as “Octopus” designed to intercept Iranian-made drones. The system underwent testing in actual battle and proved effective “at night, under jamming and at low altitudes,” officials stated. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set a target of producing up to 1,000 defensive drones each day.

Latest Attack on Kyiv Described as Deliberate

Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “intentional, calculated and brutal” after six people were killed and dozens injured in a wave of night-time strikes throughout Kyiv. Air raid sirens activated in the capital shortly after 12 AM on Friday, with Shahed drones soon detected overhead and heavy machine-gun fire from Ukrainian air defences.

The president reported the country was targeted by hundreds of UAVs and multiple missiles. Those killed were inside their residences in an apartment building on the capital's left bank when it was hit. Numerous of other buildings were damaged, including the Azerbaijani embassy.

International Protest Following Embassy Damage

Azerbaijan said it delivered a formal objection to Moscow's diplomatic representative this past Friday after the embassy damage. The blast from a Russian Iskander missile demolished a section of the embassy’s perimeter wall and caused serious damage to the diplomatic compound, officials from Baku reported. No one injured, and a ministry spokesperson confirmed the Kyiv embassy was maintaining operations.

Russian Glide Bomb Production Experiences Significant Increase

Moscow plans to produce up to 120,000 guided aerial bombs in the current year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official disclosed, including 500 of a new, longer-range version that can reach additional urban centers. Moscow's military were firing 200 to 250 glide bombs per day, with the previous month's daily average being about 170, according to defence ministry data.

Ukrainian Strikes Focus on Moscow's Energy Infrastructure

Moscow's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk temporarily suspended oil exports on Friday – equivalent to two percent of worldwide oil production – after a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Ukraine’s general staff said its forces had fired Neptune cruise missiles and deployed various types of attack UAVs in the attack on Novorossiysk “as part of operations to reduce the military and economic potential of the Russian aggressor.”

Ukraine separately targeted an oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov region and a fuel storage facility in nearby Engels during the night.

Global Restrictions Impact Russian Energy Company

Russia’s second-largest oil producer Lukoil said this past Friday it is negotiating with potential buyers regarding its foreign assets after recent restrictions from the UK and the US and failure of an agreement with commodity trader Gunvor. “Final arrangements are to be disclosed once the final agreements have been reached and the necessary regulatory approvals are secured,” Lukoil commented.

Ukrainian President Plans Visit to Spanish Capital

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the Spanish capital, Madrid, on Tuesday to confer with parliament members following his trip to France, Spanish parliamentary officials announced. The Ukrainian president will convene with deputies from all houses of parliament throughout his stay, an official announcement said.