🔗 Share this article

Ukraine has announced the start of large-scale manufacturing for a new domestically developed interceptor drone to reinforce its air defences. Three initial manufacturers have started manufacturing, with 11 more getting ready to set up production lines, the defence ministry stated this past Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Proven in Combat Situations

These UAVs utilize a nationally created system called “Octopus” designed to intercept Shahed drones. The system has been tested in combat and proved successful “at night, amid electronic warfare and flying low,” the ministry confirmed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set a target of manufacturing up to 1,000 defensive drones daily.

Recent Assault on the Capital Characterized as Deliberate

The Ukrainian president described Moscow's most recent assault on Ukraine as “intentional, calculated and wicked” after six individuals were killed and many others wounded in a series of night-time strikes throughout Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded in the capital shortly after 12 AM on Friday, with enemy UAVs quickly heard overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukraine's aerial protection units.

The president stated the country was targeted by hundreds of UAVs and multiple missiles. Those killed had been at home in an apartment building on the capital's left bank during the strike. Dozens of other buildings sustained damage, including the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

Diplomatic Objection After Embassy Destruction

Azerbaijan said it delivered a formal objection to Moscow's diplomatic representative this past Friday after the embassy damage. The blast from a Russian Iskander missile destroyed a section of the compound's boundary wall and caused significant destruction to the embassy grounds, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry stated. There were no personnel was hurt, and a ministry spokesperson confirmed the Kyiv embassy was maintaining operations.

Russian Glide Bomb Production Experiences Significant Increase

Moscow plans to manufacture as many as 120,000 guided aerial bombs in the current year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official said, among them 500 of an innovative, longer-range version that is capable of targeting more towns and cities. Russian forces were firing 200 to 250 glide bombs per day, with the previous month's daily average standing at about 170, according to defence ministry data.

Ukrainian Strikes Focus on Moscow's Energy Infrastructure

Moscow's Black Sea port of Novorossiysk halted for a period crude shipments this past Friday – equivalent to 2% of global supply – after a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Military commanders in Kyiv stated its military had fired Neptune cruise missiles and used various types of attack UAVs in the attack on Novorossiysk “within the framework of operations to reduce the strategic capabilities of the invading force.”

Ukraine separately targeted an oil refinery in Russia’s Saratov region and a fuel storage facility in nearby Engels during the night.

Global Sanctions Affect Moscow's Oil Producer

Russia’s second-largest oil producer Lukoil said on Friday it is negotiating with interested parties regarding its international holdings following last month’s restrictions from Western nations and failure of a deal with the Gunvor trading house. “The specific deal will be announced once conclusive negotiations are completed and required authorizations have been obtained,” the company commented.

Ukrainian President Schedules Visit to Spanish Capital

The Ukrainian leader is scheduled to travel to the Spanish capital, the Spanish capital, next Tuesday to meet with parliament members following his trip to France, the chamber of deputies announced. Zelenskyy will convene with deputies from all houses of parliament throughout his stay, an official announcement confirmed.