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Ukraine has announced the commencement of mass production for an innovative domestically developed defensive UAV to strengthen its aerial protection systems. The first three manufacturers have begun manufacturing, with 11 more getting ready to establish assembly lines, Ukrainian military officials stated this past Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Tested in Battlefield Conditions

The drones will be based on a domestically developed system called “Octopus” engineered to neutralize Shahed drones. This technology underwent testing in actual battle and proved effective “during nighttime, under jamming and flying low,” the ministry confirmed. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established an ambitious goal of manufacturing as many as 1,000 defensive drones daily.

Recent Attack on Kyiv Described as Deliberate

The Ukrainian president characterized Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine as “intentional, calculated and wicked” after six individuals lost their lives and dozens injured in a wave of nocturnal attacks throughout Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded in the capital just after midnight this past Friday, with Shahed drones soon heard overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

The president reported the country was targeted by hundreds of UAVs and multiple missiles. The deceased were inside their residences in a block of flats on Kyiv’s left bank during the strike. Numerous of additional structures sustained damage, among them the Azerbaijani embassy.

Diplomatic Protest After Embassy Damage

Azerbaijan announced it issued a strong protest to Moscow's diplomatic representative on Friday after the destruction at its diplomatic compound. An explosion from a Moscow's missile demolished a section of the compound's boundary wall and caused serious damage to the embassy grounds, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry reported. There were no personnel was hurt, and a ministry spokesperson confirmed the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was maintaining operations.

Russian Aerial Bomb Production Experiences Significant Increase

Russia plans to manufacture up to 120,000 guided aerial bombs in the current year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official disclosed, among them 500 of a new, longer-range version that is capable of targeting more towns and cities. Moscow's military were firing 200 to 250 aerial bombs daily, with last month’s average daily usage standing at about 170, based on defence ministry data.

Ukrainian Attacks Target Russian Energy Infrastructure

Russia’s Black Sea port of the port city temporarily suspended crude shipments this past Friday – equivalent to 2% of global supply – after a strike by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine’s general staff said its military had fired domestically produced missiles and deployed multiple kinds of strike drones in the attack on Novorossiysk “as part of efforts to diminish the strategic capabilities of the Russian aggressor.”

Ukrainian forces separately targeted a processing plant in Russia’s Saratov region and a fuel storage facility in nearby Engels overnight.

International Sanctions Affect Moscow's Energy Company

Russia’s second-largest energy company Lukoil announced this past Friday it has been in talks with interested parties concerning its international holdings following last month’s restrictions from the UK and the US and failure of a deal with commodity trader Gunvor. “The specific deal will be announced once the final agreements are completed and required authorizations are secured,” Lukoil commented.

Zelenskyy Schedules Visit to Spanish Capital

The Ukrainian leader is scheduled to travel to the city of Madrid, Madrid, on Tuesday to meet with parliament members following his trip to France, the chamber of deputies disclosed. The Ukrainian president would meet deputies from all houses of the legislature during his visit, an official announcement said.