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Ukrainian authorities have declared the commencement of mass production for an innovative locally engineered defensive UAV to enhance its air defences. The first three manufacturers have started manufacturing, with an additional eleven preparing to establish production lines, Ukrainian military officials announced on Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Proven in Combat Conditions

These UAVs will be based on a domestically developed system called “Octopus” engineered to intercept Iranian-made drones. The system underwent testing in actual battle and proved effective “at night, under jamming and flying low,” officials stated. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set a target of manufacturing up to 1,000 defensive drones each day.

Recent Attack on Kyiv Described as Calculated

Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine as “intentional, premeditated and brutal” after six people were killed and dozens injured in a wave of night-time strikes throughout Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded in Kyiv just after 12 AM this past Friday, with Shahed drones soon detected overhead and heavy machine-gun fire from Ukrainian air defences.

Zelenskyy reported the country was targeted by 430 drones and 18 missiles. The deceased were at home in a block of flats on the capital's left bank during the strike. Dozens of other buildings sustained damage, including the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

International Protest After Diplomatic Compound Damage

The Azerbaijani government said it delivered a formal objection to Moscow's diplomatic representative on Friday following the destruction at its diplomatic compound. An explosion from a Moscow's missile demolished part of the compound's boundary wall and caused serious damage to the diplomatic compound, officials from Baku reported. No one injured, and an official representative confirmed the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was continuing to operate.

Moscow's Aerial Bomb Production Experiences Major Expansion

Moscow intends to manufacture up to 120,000 guided aerial bombs in the current year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official disclosed, among them 500 of an innovative, extended-range model that can reach additional urban centers. Moscow's military were firing 200 to 250 aerial bombs per day, with the previous month's daily average standing at approximately 170, based on official military statistics.

Kyiv's Attacks Focus on Moscow's Energy Infrastructure

Russia’s Black Sea port of the port city temporarily suspended oil exports on Friday – representing 2% of worldwide oil production – following a strike by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine’s general staff said its forces had fired domestically produced missiles and deployed multiple kinds of strike drones in the attack on Novorossiysk “within the framework of operations to reduce the strategic capabilities of the invading force.”

Ukraine separately struck a processing plant in Russia’s Saratov region and an energy depot in nearby Engels overnight.

International Sanctions Impact Moscow's Energy Company

Russia’s second-largest energy company Lukoil announced this past Friday it has been in talks with interested parties regarding its foreign assets after last month’s restrictions from Western nations and failure of a deal with commodity trader Gunvor. “Final arrangements are to be disclosed once the final agreements have been reached and the necessary regulatory approvals are secured,” the company commented.

Zelenskyy Schedules Visit to Spain

The Ukrainian leader will visit the city of Madrid, Madrid, next Tuesday to meet with parliament members a day after his trip to France, the chamber of deputies announced. The Ukrainian president would meet representatives from both chambers of parliament during his visit, an official announcement said.