🔗 Share this article

Ukraine has announced the commencement of mass production for an innovative domestically developed defensive UAV to reinforce its air defences. The first three producers have begun production, with 11 more preparing to set up production lines, the defence ministry stated on Friday.

Advanced 'Octopus' System Proven in Battlefield Conditions

These UAVs will be based on a domestically developed system called “Octopus” designed to neutralize Shahed drones. The system underwent testing in combat and demonstrated successful “during nighttime, amid electronic warfare and at low altitudes,” officials stated. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has set an ambitious goal of producing as many as 1,000 defensive drones daily.

Latest Attack on the Capital Described as Calculated

Volodymyr Zelenskyy described Russia’s latest attack on Ukraine as “deliberate, calculated and wicked” following six people lost their lives and dozens injured in a wave of night-time strikes across Kyiv. Alert systems activated in the capital shortly after 12 AM this past Friday, with enemy UAVs soon detected overhead and intensive defensive fire from Ukrainian air defences.

Zelenskyy stated the country was targeted by 430 drones and 18 missiles. The deceased were at home in an apartment building on the capital's left bank when it was hit. Dozens of additional structures were damaged, among them the Azerbaijani embassy.

International Objection After Diplomatic Compound Damage

The Azerbaijani government said it issued a strong protest to Moscow's diplomatic representative this past Friday after the destruction at its diplomatic compound. The blast from a Russian Iskander missile destroyed part of the embassy’s perimeter wall and caused significant destruction to the diplomatic compound, officials from Baku stated. No one was hurt, and a ministry spokesperson confirmed the Kyiv embassy was continuing to operate.

Russian Glide Bomb Production Sees Major Expansion

Moscow plans to produce as many as 120,000 guided aerial bombs in the current year, a high-ranking Ukrainian defense official disclosed, among them 500 of an innovative, longer-range version that can reach additional urban centers. Russian forces were firing 200 to 250 glide bombs daily, with last month’s daily average standing at approximately 170, according to official military statistics.

Kyiv's Strikes Focus on Moscow's Energy Infrastructure

Moscow's Black Sea port of the port city halted for a period crude shipments on Friday – representing 2% of global supply – after a strike by Ukrainian forces. Ukraine’s general staff stated its forces had fired Neptune cruise missiles and used multiple kinds of strike drones in the attack on Novorossiysk “as part of operations to diminish the strategic capabilities of the invading force.”

Ukraine separately targeted a processing plant in the Saratov area and a fuel storage facility in nearby Engels overnight.

Global Restrictions Impact Moscow's Oil Producer

The number two energy company Lukoil announced on Friday it has been in talks with potential buyers regarding its foreign assets following recent restrictions from Western nations and the collapse of an agreement with commodity trader Gunvor. “The specific deal are to be disclosed after conclusive negotiations have been reached and the necessary regulatory approvals have been obtained,” Lukoil commented.

Zelenskyy Schedules Visit to Spanish Capital

The Ukrainian leader will visit the Spanish capital, the Spanish capital, next Tuesday to confer with lawmakers a day after his trip to France, Spanish parliamentary officials announced. The Ukrainian president would meet representatives from both chambers of parliament during his visit, an official announcement said.