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Ukraine has announced the start of large-scale manufacturing for an innovative domestically developed defensive UAV to enhance its air defences. The first three manufacturers have begun production, with 11 more preparing to establish assembly lines, the defence ministry announced on Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Tested in Battlefield Situations

These UAVs will be based on a domestically developed technology known as “Octopus” engineered to intercept Shahed drones. The system underwent testing in combat and demonstrated effective “at night, under jamming and flying low,” the ministry confirmed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set an ambitious goal of producing up to 1,000 defensive drones each day.

Latest Attack on Kyiv Characterized as Deliberate

Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “intentional, premeditated and wicked” after six individuals lost their lives and dozens wounded in a series of nocturnal attacks throughout Kyiv. Alert systems activated in the capital just after midnight this past Friday, with enemy UAVs soon heard overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

The president reported the country was targeted by 430 drones and 18 missiles. The deceased were inside their residences in a block of flats on the capital's left bank when it was hit. Numerous of additional structures were damaged, among them the Azerbaijani embassy.

Diplomatic Objection After Embassy Destruction

The Azerbaijani government announced it delivered a strong protest to the Russian ambassador on Friday after the embassy damage. The blast from a Russian Iskander missile demolished a section of the embassy’s perimeter wall and caused significant destruction to the embassy grounds, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry stated. There were no personnel was hurt, and a ministry spokesperson said the Kyiv embassy was maintaining operations.

Moscow's Glide Bomb Manufacturing Sees Significant Increase

Russia plans to produce up to 120,000 guided aerial bombs this 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 the previous month's daily average standing at about 170, according to defence ministry data.

Ukrainian Attacks Focus on Russian Energy Infrastructure

Russia’s Black Sea port of the port city temporarily suspended oil exports this past Friday – representing two percent of worldwide oil production – following a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Ukraine’s general staff stated its forces had launched Neptune cruise missiles and used multiple kinds of strike drones in the attack on Novorossiysk “within the framework of efforts to reduce the military and economic potential of the Russian aggressor.”

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

International Restrictions Affect Moscow's Energy Company

Russia’s second-largest energy company Lukoil announced on Friday it has been in talks with interested parties regarding its foreign assets after recent restrictions from Western nations and failure of an agreement with commodity trader Gunvor. “Final arrangements will be announced after the final agreements are completed and required authorizations are secured,” the company commented.

Zelenskyy Plans Visit to Spain

The Ukrainian leader will visit the city of Madrid, the Spanish capital, next Tuesday to meet with lawmakers following his visit to Paris, Spanish parliamentary officials announced. The Ukrainian president would meet representatives from both chambers of the legislature during his visit, an official announcement said.