🔗 Share this article

Ukraine has announced the commencement of mass production for an innovative domestically developed interceptor drone to strengthen its air defences. Three initial producers have started manufacturing, with 11 more preparing to establish assembly lines, the defence ministry announced on Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Proven in Combat Conditions

These UAVs will be based on a domestically developed technology called “Octopus” designed to intercept Shahed drones. This technology underwent testing in combat and proved successful “at night, under jamming and flying low,” officials stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established a target of manufacturing up to 1,000 defensive drones each day.

Recent Attack on Kyiv Characterized as Calculated

Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “deliberate, premeditated and wicked” following six individuals were killed and many others wounded in a series of nocturnal attacks across Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded in the capital shortly after midnight on Friday, with enemy UAVs soon heard overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

The president stated the nation was targeted by 430 drones and multiple missiles. The deceased had been at home in an apartment building on the capital's left bank during the strike. Dozens of additional structures were damaged, including the Azerbaijani embassy.

Diplomatic Objection Following Embassy Destruction

The Azerbaijani government said it issued a formal objection to the Russian ambassador this past Friday following the destruction at its diplomatic compound. An explosion from a Moscow's missile demolished part of the embassy’s perimeter wall and resulted in significant destruction 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 Manufacturing Experiences Significant Increase

Russia plans to produce up to 120,000 glide bombs this year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official said, including 500 of an innovative, extended-range model that can reach additional urban centers. Moscow's military have been launching 200 to 250 glide bombs daily, with last month’s average daily usage being approximately 170, based on official military statistics.

Kyiv's Strikes Target Russian Energy Infrastructure

Moscow's maritime terminal of the port city halted for a period oil exports on Friday – equivalent to two percent of worldwide oil production – after a strike by Ukrainian forces. Military commanders in Kyiv said its forces had launched domestically produced missiles and deployed multiple kinds of attack UAVs in the attack on Novorossiysk “within the framework of efforts to reduce the military and economic potential of the invading force.”

Ukraine additionally struck an oil refinery in the Saratov area and an energy depot in the adjacent Engels region overnight.

International Sanctions Impact Moscow's Energy Company

Russia’s second-largest oil producer Lukoil announced this past Friday it is negotiating with potential buyers regarding its foreign assets following recent restrictions from Western nations and failure of an agreement with commodity trader Gunvor. “Final arrangements are to be disclosed after conclusive negotiations are completed and required authorizations have been obtained,” Lukoil commented.

Zelenskyy Schedules Visit to Spanish Capital

The Ukrainian leader is scheduled to travel to the Spanish capital, Madrid, on Tuesday to confer with parliament members a day after his trip to France, Spanish parliamentary officials announced. Zelenskyy will convene with deputies from both chambers of parliament throughout his stay, the Spanish statement said.