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Ukraine has announced the start of mass production for a new domestically developed interceptor drone to enhance its air defences. Three initial producers have begun manufacturing, with an additional eleven preparing to set up production lines, the defence ministry announced this past Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Tested in Combat Conditions

These UAVs will be based on a domestically developed technology known as “Octopus” designed to intercept Iranian-made drones. The system has been tested in combat and proved successful “during nighttime, under jamming and flying low,” officials stated. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set an ambitious goal of producing as many as 1,000 interceptors each day.

Recent Assault on the Capital Described as Deliberate

The Ukrainian president described Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “deliberate, premeditated and wicked” after six people lost their lives and dozens injured in a series of night-time strikes across Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv shortly after midnight this past Friday, with Shahed drones quickly detected overhead and heavy machine-gun fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

Zelenskyy reported the nation was targeted by 430 drones and 18 missiles. Those killed had been inside their residences in a block of flats on Kyiv’s left bank when it was hit. Numerous of other buildings were damaged, among them the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

International Objection After Embassy Damage

Azerbaijan announced it issued a formal objection to Moscow's diplomatic representative this past Friday after the destruction at its diplomatic compound. The blast from a Moscow's missile destroyed a section of the compound's boundary wall and resulted in significant destruction to the embassy grounds, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry stated. There were no personnel injured, and an official representative said the Kyiv embassy was continuing to operate.

Moscow's Aerial Bomb Manufacturing Sees Significant Increase

Russia plans to manufacture up to 120,000 guided aerial bombs this year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official said, among them 500 of an innovative, extended-range model that can reach more towns and cities. Moscow's military have been launching 200 to 250 glide bombs daily, with the previous month's average daily usage standing at approximately 170, based on defence ministry data.

Kyiv's Strikes Focus on Moscow's Energy Infrastructure

Russia’s Black Sea port of the port city halted for a period oil exports this past Friday – representing 2% of worldwide oil production – following a strike by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine’s general staff stated its military had fired Neptune cruise missiles and used multiple kinds of strike drones in the assault against Novorossiysk “within the framework of efforts to reduce the strategic capabilities of the Russian aggressor.”

Ukraine separately targeted a processing plant in Russia’s Saratov region and an energy depot in nearby Engels overnight.

International Sanctions Impact Russian Oil Producer

The number two oil producer Lukoil said this past Friday it is negotiating with interested parties regarding its international holdings after last month’s sanctions from the UK and the US and failure of a deal with the Gunvor trading house. “Final arrangements will be announced once the final agreements have been reached and required authorizations are secured,” the company stated.

Ukrainian President Plans Diplomatic Trip to Spain

The Ukrainian leader is scheduled to travel to the Spanish capital, the Spanish capital, next Tuesday to confer with parliament members following his visit to Paris, the chamber of deputies announced. The Ukrainian president would meet deputies from both chambers of the legislature throughout his stay, an official announcement said.