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Ukrainian authorities have declared the start of large-scale manufacturing for an innovative locally engineered defensive UAV to strengthen its aerial protection systems. Three initial producers have started manufacturing, with 11 more getting ready to establish production lines, the defence ministry announced this past Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Tested in Battlefield Situations

These UAVs utilize a domestically developed technology called “Octopus” designed to neutralize Iranian-made drones. This technology has been tested in combat and demonstrated successful “during nighttime, under jamming and flying low,” the ministry confirmed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set an ambitious goal of manufacturing up to 1,000 defensive drones each day.

Latest Assault on Kyiv Characterized as Deliberate

The Ukrainian president described Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “intentional, calculated and wicked” following six people lost their lives and many others wounded in a wave of night-time strikes throughout Kyiv. Alert systems activated in Kyiv shortly after 12 AM this past Friday, with enemy UAVs soon detected overhead and heavy machine-gun fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

Zelenskyy stated the country was targeted by hundreds of UAVs and 18 missiles. The deceased had been inside their residences in an apartment building on Kyiv’s left bank when it was hit. Dozens of other buildings sustained damage, including the Azerbaijani embassy.

International Protest Following Diplomatic Compound Damage

The Azerbaijani government said it delivered a strong protest to Moscow's diplomatic representative on Friday after the embassy damage. The blast from a Russian Iskander missile destroyed part of the compound's boundary wall and caused serious damage to the embassy grounds, officials from Baku stated. There were no personnel injured, and a ministry spokesperson confirmed the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was maintaining operations.

Moscow's Aerial Bomb Production Experiences Major Expansion

Russia intends to produce as many as 120,000 glide bombs in the current year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official said, including 500 of an innovative, extended-range model that can reach additional urban centers. Russian forces have been launching hundreds of aerial bombs daily, with last month’s daily average standing at about 170, according to official military statistics.

Ukrainian Strikes Target Russian Energy Infrastructure

Russia’s maritime terminal of Novorossiysk halted for a period oil exports 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 various types of attack UAVs in the assault against Novorossiysk “as part of operations to reduce the military and economic potential of the invading force.”

Ukraine separately struck a processing plant in the Saratov area and an energy depot in the adjacent Engels region during the night.

Global Restrictions Affect Russian Energy Company

Russia’s second-largest oil producer Lukoil said on Friday it is negotiating with potential buyers concerning its international holdings after recent sanctions from Western nations and the collapse of a deal with commodity trader Gunvor. “The specific deal will be announced after conclusive negotiations are completed and the necessary regulatory approvals are secured,” the company stated.

Ukrainian President Schedules Visit to Spain

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the Spanish capital, the Spanish capital, on Tuesday to confer with lawmakers a day after his visit to Paris, the chamber of deputies disclosed. Zelenskyy would meet deputies from both chambers of parliament during his visit, the Spanish statement confirmed.