In brief
Russian forces targeted the SBU building in Kyiv with a drone, causing smoke and casualties. Zelensky confirmed the strike and ordered a tangible retaliation. Ukrainian officials urged a decisive response, while US mediators plan visits amid escalating tensions.
Russian Drone Strikes Kyiv’s SBU Headquarters, Zelensky Orders Retaliation
A Russian‑made drone crashed into the Security Service of Ukraine’s (SBU) headquarters in Kyiv on Friday afternoon, a first for the Kremlin in striking a Ukrainian government building. President Volodymyr Zelensky said the unmanned aircraft targeted a room used by security chief Oleksandr Poklad, although it is not confirmed whether Poklad was inside at the time.
Zelensky confirmed that the drone was aimed directly at the SBU office and that emergency services were already on scene. He called for a "tangible response" from Ukraine’s military, saying the response must mirror the attack if possible. "Our military will support this response," he added in a Telegram message.
Images of the damaged office, showing black smoke pouring from two windows, spread rapidly on social media and added urgency to the situation. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha described the strike as a “major escalation that demands resolute responses”. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed that five people were wounded, though it was unclear if any were inside the SBU building; a nearby café was also damaged, and a customer was hospitalized.
The attack occurs amid a recent pattern of Russian daytime strikes that increasingly use jet‑powered drones. It also precedes a planned visit by US mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner to Moscow and Kyiv, an effort to re‑ignite peace talks that have remained stalled for months.
The Russian defence ministry also announced that it had struck a cargo vessel in the port of Chornomorsk and a tanker near Odesa the same day, underscoring a broader escalation strategy.
This incident marks a significant escalation, as the SBU—situated just a block from St. Sophia Cathedral in Kyiv—plays a crucial role in Ukraine’s counter‑strike operations. The drone’s precision points to advanced technology that could intensify future assaults before any potential diplomatic breakthroughs.
