🔗 Share this article

Ukraine has announced the commencement of large-scale manufacturing for a new locally engineered defensive UAV to strengthen its air defences. The first three manufacturers have started manufacturing, with 11 more preparing to establish production lines, Ukrainian military officials stated this past Friday.

'Octopus' Technology Proven in Combat Conditions

The drones will be based on a domestically developed system called “Octopus” designed to neutralize Shahed drones. The system has been tested in combat and demonstrated effective “at night, amid electronic warfare and flying low,” the ministry confirmed. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy established an ambitious goal of manufacturing up to 1,000 defensive drones each day.

Latest Assault on Kyiv Described as Calculated

The Ukrainian president described Russia’s latest attack against Ukraine as “deliberate, premeditated and brutal” following six individuals were killed and many others wounded in a wave of night-time strikes across Kyiv. Air raid sirens sounded in the capital just after midnight this past Friday, with Shahed drones soon detected overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukrainian air defences.

Zelenskyy stated the country was targeted by hundreds of UAVs and multiple missiles. Those killed had been at home in a block of flats on Kyiv’s left bank during the strike. Numerous of additional structures sustained damage, among them the Azerbaijani embassy.

International Protest Following Embassy Destruction

The Azerbaijani government said it issued a formal objection to the Russian ambassador on Friday after the destruction at its diplomatic compound. The blast from a Russian Iskander missile destroyed a section of the embassy’s perimeter wall and resulted in serious damage to the embassy grounds, the Azerbaijani foreign ministry stated. No one was hurt, and a ministry spokesperson said the Kyiv embassy was maintaining operations.

Moscow's Aerial Bomb Production Experiences Major Expansion

Russia plans to manufacture as many as 120,000 glide bombs in the current 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 hundreds of glide bombs per day, with the previous month's daily average being about 170, based on defence ministry data.

Ukrainian Strikes Focus on Moscow's Oil Facilities

Russia’s maritime terminal of the port city temporarily suspended crude shipments on Friday – representing two percent of global supply – following a Ukrainian missile and drone attack. Ukraine’s general staff said its forces had launched Neptune cruise missiles and used various types of attack UAVs in the attack on Novorossiysk “within the framework of efforts to reduce the strategic capabilities of the invading force.”

Ukraine separately targeted an oil refinery in the Saratov area and a fuel storage facility in nearby Engels during the night.

International Restrictions Impact Moscow's Oil Producer

Russia’s second-largest oil producer Lukoil said on Friday it is negotiating with interested parties concerning its international holdings after recent sanctions from Western nations and failure of an agreement with commodity trader Gunvor. “Final arrangements will be announced once the final agreements are completed and the necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained,” Lukoil stated.

Ukrainian President Schedules Diplomatic Trip to Spain

The Ukrainian leader is scheduled to travel to the city of Madrid, the Spanish capital, on Tuesday to meet with lawmakers following his visit to Paris, the chamber of deputies announced. Zelenskyy will convene with representatives from all houses of the legislature during his visit, an official announcement confirmed.