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Ukraine has announced the start of mass production for a new locally engineered defensive UAV to strengthen its aerial protection systems. Three initial producers have begun manufacturing, with 11 more preparing to establish assembly lines, Ukrainian military officials announced this past Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Proven in Combat Situations

The drones will be based on a domestically developed system known as “Octopus” designed to intercept Shahed drones. The system has been tested in combat and proved successful “during nighttime, under jamming and at low altitudes,” the ministry stated. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established a target of producing as many as 1,000 interceptors each day.

Recent Assault on Kyiv Characterized as Deliberate

Volodymyr Zelenskyy characterized Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “deliberate, premeditated and brutal” after six individuals were killed and dozens injured in a series of nocturnal attacks throughout Kyiv. Alert systems activated in the capital just after 12 AM on Friday, with Shahed drones quickly heard overhead and heavy machine-gun fire from Ukrainian air defences.

Zelenskyy reported the country was targeted by hundreds of UAVs and 18 missiles. Those killed were inside their residences in a block of flats on the capital's left bank when it was hit. Numerous of additional structures were damaged, among them the diplomatic mission of Azerbaijan.

International Protest Following Diplomatic Compound Damage

Azerbaijan said it issued a strong protest to Moscow's diplomatic representative on Friday after the destruction at its diplomatic compound. The blast from a Moscow's missile destroyed part of the compound's boundary wall and caused serious damage to the diplomatic compound, officials from Baku reported. There were no personnel injured, and an official representative confirmed the diplomatic mission in Ukraine was maintaining operations.

Moscow's Glide Bomb Manufacturing Experiences Major Expansion

Russia intends to manufacture as many as 120,000 guided aerial bombs this year, a senior Ukrainian intelligence official disclosed, among them 500 of a new, extended-range model that is capable of targeting additional urban centers. Moscow's military were firing 200 to 250 glide bombs per day, with the previous month's daily average being approximately 170, based on official military statistics.

Ukrainian Attacks Target Russian Oil Facilities

Russia’s Black Sea port of Novorossiysk halted for a period oil exports on Friday – equivalent to two percent of global supply – after a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Ukraine’s general staff stated its forces had launched domestically produced missiles and used various types of strike drones in the assault against Novorossiysk “as part of operations to diminish the strategic capabilities of the Russian aggressor.”

Ukrainian forces separately targeted a processing plant in Russia’s Saratov region and an energy depot in the adjacent Engels region overnight.

Global Restrictions Impact Moscow's Oil Producer

Russia’s second-largest oil producer Lukoil announced this past Friday it has been in talks with potential buyers concerning its foreign assets after last month’s restrictions from the UK and the US and the collapse of a deal with the Gunvor trading house. “Final arrangements will be announced once conclusive negotiations have been reached and required authorizations have been obtained,” the company stated.

Zelenskyy Schedules Visit to Spain

Volodymyr Zelenskyy will visit the city of Madrid, Madrid, on Tuesday to confer with lawmakers following his trip to France, the chamber of deputies announced. Zelenskyy will convene with representatives from both chambers of the legislature during his visit, the Spanish statement confirmed.