🔗 Share this article

Ukraine has announced the commencement of large-scale manufacturing for a new domestically developed defensive UAV to reinforce its air defences. The first three producers have begun manufacturing, with an additional eleven getting ready to set up production lines, the defence ministry announced on Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Proven in Battlefield Situations

The drones will be based on a nationally created technology known as “Octopus” designed to intercept Shahed drones. The system has been tested in combat and demonstrated successful “at night, under jamming and flying low,” the ministry stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established an ambitious goal of manufacturing up to 1,000 interceptors daily.

Latest Attack on the Capital Characterized as Calculated

The Ukrainian president characterized Moscow's most recent assault on Ukraine as “intentional, calculated and brutal” following six individuals were killed and many others injured in a series of nocturnal attacks throughout Kyiv. Alert systems activated in the capital shortly after midnight on Friday, with enemy UAVs soon heard overhead and heavy machine-gun fire from Ukrainian air defences.

The president reported the country was hit by hundreds of UAVs and 18 missiles. The deceased were at home in an apartment building on the capital's left bank when it was hit. Dozens of additional structures sustained damage, including the Azerbaijani embassy.

Diplomatic Objection Following Embassy Damage

Azerbaijan announced it delivered a formal objection to the Russian ambassador on Friday following the embassy damage. An explosion from a Russian Iskander missile demolished a section of the embassy’s perimeter wall and resulted in serious damage to the embassy grounds, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry reported. There were no personnel injured, and a ministry spokesperson said the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was maintaining operations.

Moscow's Glide Bomb Production Sees Major Expansion

Russia intends to produce up to 120,000 glide bombs this year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official said, among them 500 of a new, extended-range model that can reach more towns and cities. Russian forces have been launching 200 to 250 glide bombs daily, with the previous month's average daily usage standing at approximately 170, according to official military statistics.

Ukrainian Attacks Target Russian Energy Infrastructure

Russia’s Black Sea port of the port city temporarily suspended oil exports this past Friday – representing 2% of global supply – following a strike by Ukrainian forces. Military commanders in Kyiv stated its forces had fired domestically produced missiles and deployed multiple kinds of strike drones in the assault against Novorossiysk “as part of efforts to diminish the military and economic potential of the invading force.”

Ukraine additionally struck an oil refinery in the Saratov area and a fuel storage facility in nearby Engels overnight.

Global Restrictions Affect Russian Energy Company

The number two oil producer Lukoil announced this past Friday it has been in talks with interested parties concerning its foreign assets after last month’s restrictions from the UK and the US and the collapse of a deal with commodity trader Gunvor. “Final arrangements will be announced after the final agreements are completed and required authorizations are secured,” Lukoil stated.

Ukrainian President Plans 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 a day after his visit to Paris, the chamber of deputies announced. The Ukrainian president would meet deputies from all houses of parliament during his visit, an official announcement confirmed.