🔗 Share this article

Ukrainian authorities have declared the start of large-scale manufacturing for an innovative domestically developed interceptor drone to strengthen its aerial protection systems. Three initial manufacturers have begun production, with an additional eleven getting ready 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 system called “Octopus” designed to intercept Shahed drones. This technology has been tested in combat and proved effective “at night, under jamming and flying low,” the ministry confirmed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set an ambitious goal of manufacturing up to 1,000 interceptors daily.

Latest Assault on the Capital Characterized as Calculated

Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized Moscow's most recent assault against Ukraine as “intentional, premeditated and brutal” following six individuals lost their lives and many others injured in a series of nocturnal attacks across Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded in the capital shortly after 12 AM on Friday, with enemy UAVs quickly detected overhead and heavy machine-gun fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

The president stated the nation was targeted by hundreds of UAVs and 18 missiles. The deceased had been at home in an apartment building on Kyiv’s left bank during the strike. Dozens of other buildings sustained damage, including the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

International Objection After Embassy Damage

Azerbaijan announced it issued a strong protest to the Russian ambassador on Friday after the embassy damage. The blast from a Russian Iskander missile demolished part of the embassy’s perimeter wall and caused serious damage to the diplomatic compound, officials from Baku stated. There were no personnel injured, and an official representative said the Kyiv embassy was maintaining operations.

Russian Aerial Bomb Production Experiences Significant Increase

Moscow intends to manufacture up to 120,000 guided aerial bombs this year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official disclosed, among them 500 of a new, longer-range version that can reach more towns and cities. Russian forces have been launching hundreds of glide bombs per day, with the previous month's daily average standing at approximately 170, according to official military statistics.

Kyiv's Strikes Target Moscow's Energy Infrastructure

Russia’s maritime terminal of the port city halted for a period crude shipments this past Friday – representing two percent of global supply – after a strike by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine’s general staff said its forces had fired Neptune cruise missiles and deployed multiple kinds of attack UAVs in the attack on Novorossiysk “within the framework of efforts to diminish the strategic capabilities of the Russian aggressor.”

Ukrainian forces separately struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov region and an energy depot in nearby Engels during the night.

International Restrictions Affect Moscow's Energy Company

Russia’s second-largest oil producer Lukoil said on Friday it has been in talks with potential buyers regarding its foreign assets following last month’s restrictions from the UK and the US and failure of a deal with the Gunvor trading house. “The specific deal will be announced after conclusive negotiations are completed and required authorizations are secured,” Lukoil stated.

Ukrainian President Schedules Visit to Spanish Capital

The Ukrainian leader is scheduled to travel to the Spanish capital, the Spanish capital, on Tuesday to confer with lawmakers a day after his trip to France, the chamber of deputies announced. The Ukrainian president would meet deputies from all houses of the legislature throughout his stay, the Spanish statement confirmed.