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Ukrainian authorities have declared the start of large-scale manufacturing for a new locally engineered defensive UAV to strengthen its air defences. Three initial manufacturers have started production, with 11 more preparing to set up assembly lines, Ukrainian military officials announced this past Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Tested in Combat Situations

These UAVs utilize a nationally created technology called “Octopus” designed to intercept Shahed drones. This technology underwent testing in actual battle and demonstrated effective “during nighttime, under jamming and at low altitudes,” officials confirmed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established an ambitious goal of manufacturing as many as 1,000 defensive drones each day.

Recent Attack on the Capital Characterized as Calculated

Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “intentional, premeditated and wicked” after six people were killed and many others injured in a wave of nocturnal attacks across Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv shortly after midnight on Friday, with enemy UAVs quickly heard overhead and heavy machine-gun fire from Ukrainian air defences.

The president reported the country was targeted by 430 drones and 18 missiles. The deceased were inside their residences in a block of flats on the capital's left bank during the strike. Dozens of other buildings were damaged, including the Azerbaijani embassy.

Diplomatic Objection After Embassy Destruction

Azerbaijan said it issued a formal objection to Moscow's diplomatic representative on Friday following the embassy damage. An explosion from a Moscow's missile demolished a section of the embassy’s perimeter wall and resulted in significant destruction to the embassy grounds, officials from Baku reported. No one injured, and an official representative confirmed the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was continuing to operate.

Moscow's Aerial Bomb Production Experiences Major Expansion

Russia plans to produce up to 120,000 glide bombs this year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official disclosed, including 500 of an innovative, longer-range version that can reach additional urban centers. Russian forces have been launching 200 to 250 glide bombs per day, with the previous month's daily average being approximately 170, based on official military statistics.

Kyiv's Attacks Focus on Russian Energy Infrastructure

Moscow's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk temporarily suspended crude shipments this past Friday – representing 2% of global supply – after a strike by Ukrainian forces. Military commanders in Kyiv said its military had fired domestically produced missiles and deployed multiple kinds of attack UAVs in the attack on Novorossiysk “as part of efforts to diminish the strategic capabilities of the invading force.”

Ukrainian forces separately targeted a processing plant in the Saratov area and an energy depot in the adjacent Engels region during the night.

International Sanctions Affect Russian Energy Company

Russia’s second-largest energy company Lukoil said on Friday it has been in talks with interested parties regarding its international holdings after recent 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 required authorizations are secured,” the company commented.

Zelenskyy Plans Diplomatic Trip to Spain

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the Spanish capital, the Spanish capital, next Tuesday to meet with lawmakers following his visit to Paris, the chamber of deputies disclosed. The Ukrainian president would meet deputies from all houses of parliament during his visit, an official announcement confirmed.