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Ukraine has announced the commencement of mass production for a new locally engineered defensive UAV to strengthen its air defences. The first three producers have started manufacturing, with 11 more preparing to establish production lines, Ukrainian military officials announced on Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Tested in Combat Situations

These UAVs will be based on a nationally created technology called “Octopus” engineered to intercept Iranian-made drones. The system has been tested in actual battle and proved successful “during nighttime, amid electronic warfare and at low altitudes,” officials stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set an ambitious goal of manufacturing as many as 1,000 defensive drones each day.

Latest Assault on the Capital Described as Deliberate

Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Moscow's most recent assault on Ukraine as “intentional, 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 the capital shortly after 12 AM on Friday, with enemy UAVs quickly heard overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

The president reported the nation was hit by hundreds of UAVs and 18 missiles. Those killed had been inside their residences in an apartment building on Kyiv’s left bank when it was hit. Dozens of additional structures were damaged, including the Azerbaijani embassy.

Diplomatic Protest Following Embassy Destruction

The Azerbaijani government announced it delivered a strong protest to the Russian ambassador this past Friday following the embassy damage. The blast from a Moscow's missile demolished part of the embassy’s perimeter wall and caused serious damage to the embassy grounds, officials from Baku stated. There were no personnel was hurt, and a ministry spokesperson confirmed the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was continuing to operate.

Russian Glide Bomb Production Sees Significant Increase

Russia intends to produce up to 120,000 glide bombs this year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official said, including 500 of a new, longer-range version that can reach additional urban centers. Moscow's military were firing hundreds of aerial bombs daily, with last month’s daily average being about 170, based on defence ministry data.

Ukrainian Strikes Focus on Moscow's Oil Facilities

Moscow's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk temporarily suspended oil exports this past Friday – equivalent to 2% of global supply – after a strike by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine’s general staff stated its military had fired Neptune cruise missiles and used various types of strike drones in the attack on Novorossiysk “as part of efforts to reduce the strategic capabilities of the Russian aggressor.”

Ukrainian forces separately struck an oil refinery in the Saratov area and an energy depot in the adjacent Engels region during the night.

International Restrictions Affect Russian Oil Producer

The number two oil producer Lukoil announced on Friday it has been in talks with interested parties regarding its international holdings following recent sanctions from the UK and the US and failure of an agreement with commodity trader Gunvor. “Final arrangements will be announced after conclusive negotiations have been reached and required authorizations are secured,” the company stated.

Zelenskyy Plans Visit to Spain

The Ukrainian leader will visit the Spanish capital, Madrid, on Tuesday to confer with lawmakers a day after his visit to Paris, the chamber of deputies announced. The Ukrainian president will convene with deputies from both chambers of parliament throughout his stay, an official announcement confirmed.