🔗 Share this article

Ukrainian authorities have declared the commencement of large-scale manufacturing for a new locally engineered interceptor drone to reinforce its air defences. The first three producers have started manufacturing, with 11 more preparing to establish assembly lines, the defence ministry stated this past Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Proven in Combat Conditions

These UAVs utilize a domestically developed system known as “Octopus” engineered to neutralize Shahed drones. The system underwent testing in actual battle and proved successful “during nighttime, amid electronic warfare and flying low,” the ministry confirmed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set a target of manufacturing as many as 1,000 interceptors daily.

Latest Assault on Kyiv Characterized as Calculated

The Ukrainian president described Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine as “intentional, calculated and wicked” after six individuals lost their lives and dozens injured in a wave of night-time strikes throughout Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv just after midnight on Friday, with Shahed drones soon detected overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukrainian air defences.

The president stated the country was hit by hundreds of UAVs and multiple missiles. The deceased were inside their residences in an apartment building on Kyiv’s left bank when it was hit. Numerous of other buildings were damaged, including the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

Diplomatic Objection After Embassy Destruction

Azerbaijan said it issued a formal objection to Moscow's diplomatic representative on Friday following the destruction at its diplomatic compound. An explosion from a Russian Iskander missile demolished a section of the compound's boundary wall and caused significant destruction to the diplomatic compound, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry stated. There were no personnel injured, and an official representative said the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was continuing to operate.

Russian Glide Bomb Production Sees Major Expansion

Moscow intends to manufacture as many as 120,000 glide bombs this year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official disclosed, among them 500 of a new, extended-range model that is capable of targeting additional urban centers. Russian forces were firing hundreds of glide bombs daily, with the previous month's average daily usage standing at about 170, based on defence ministry data.

Ukrainian Attacks Focus on Moscow's Energy Infrastructure

Moscow's maritime terminal of Novorossiysk halted for a period oil exports this past Friday – representing two percent of global supply – following a strike by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine’s general staff stated its forces had launched domestically produced missiles and deployed various types of strike drones in the assault against Novorossiysk “within the framework of efforts to diminish the military and economic potential of the invading force.”

Ukrainian forces separately struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov region and an energy depot in the adjacent Engels region overnight.

International Sanctions Impact Russian Oil Producer

Russia’s second-largest energy company Lukoil said on Friday it has been in talks with potential buyers regarding its foreign assets after recent restrictions from Western nations and failure of an agreement with the Gunvor trading house. “The specific deal are to be disclosed after the final agreements have been reached and required authorizations have been obtained,” the company commented.

Zelenskyy Plans Visit to Spanish Capital

The Ukrainian leader will visit the Spanish capital, Madrid, on Tuesday to meet with parliament members following his trip to France, Spanish parliamentary officials disclosed. The Ukrainian president will convene with representatives from all houses of parliament throughout his stay, the Spanish statement said.