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Ukrainian authorities have declared the commencement of mass production for a new domestically developed interceptor drone to strengthen its aerial protection systems. Three initial producers have started production, with 11 more getting ready to set up assembly lines, Ukrainian military officials announced this past Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Tested in Battlefield Conditions

These UAVs will be based on a domestically developed technology known as “Octopus” designed to neutralize Iranian-made drones. This technology underwent testing in actual battle and proved effective “during nighttime, under jamming and flying low,” officials stated. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established an ambitious goal of manufacturing as many as 1,000 interceptors daily.

Latest Attack on Kyiv Described as Calculated

The Ukrainian president characterized Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine as “deliberate, calculated and brutal” after six people lost their lives and many others wounded in a wave of nocturnal attacks throughout Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv shortly after midnight this past Friday, with enemy UAVs soon detected overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

The president stated the country was targeted by hundreds of UAVs and multiple missiles. Those killed had been at home in an apartment building on the capital's left bank when it was hit. Dozens of other buildings sustained damage, among them the Azerbaijani embassy.

International Objection Following Diplomatic Compound Destruction

Azerbaijan announced it delivered a strong protest to Moscow's diplomatic representative on Friday following the embassy damage. An explosion from a Russian Iskander missile destroyed part of the compound's boundary wall and resulted in serious damage to the diplomatic compound, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry stated. There were no personnel was hurt, and a ministry spokesperson said the Kyiv embassy was maintaining operations.

Russian Aerial Bomb Production Sees Major Expansion

Russia intends to produce as many as 120,000 glide bombs in the current year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official disclosed, among them 500 of an innovative, longer-range version that is capable of targeting additional urban centers. Moscow's military have been launching hundreds of aerial bombs daily, with the previous month's average daily usage standing at about 170, based on official military statistics.

Kyiv's Attacks Focus on Moscow's Oil Facilities

Moscow's maritime terminal of Novorossiysk halted for a period oil exports on 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 attack on Novorossiysk “within the framework of efforts to diminish the military and economic potential of the invading force.”

Ukrainian forces additionally struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov region and a fuel storage facility in the adjacent Engels region during the night.

Global Restrictions Impact Moscow's Oil Producer

The number two oil producer Lukoil announced this past Friday it has been in talks with potential buyers 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. “The specific deal are to be disclosed once the final agreements are completed and required authorizations are secured,” Lukoil commented.

Ukrainian President Schedules Diplomatic Trip to Spain

The Ukrainian leader is scheduled to travel to the city of Madrid, the Spanish capital, next Tuesday to meet with lawmakers following his visit to Paris, Spanish parliamentary officials announced. Zelenskyy would meet representatives from all houses of the legislature throughout his stay, the Spanish statement confirmed.