Russia hits Ukrainian security headquarters in drone attack, Zelensky says

What the report says

A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in central Kyiv on Friday afternoon, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky. BBC World News reported that the unmanned aircraft hit a room used by the SBU’s security chief, Oleksandr Poklad, though it was not clear whether he was inside at the time. Zelensky said he had spoken with Poklad afterward and instructed him to prepare an appropriate response.

The attack caused smoke and fire at the building and damaged a nearby café. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said five people were injured, and one customer from the café was taken to hospital. Ukraine’s foreign minister, Andriy Sybiha, called the strike a major escalation and said it showed Moscow was rejecting diplomacy. The Russian defence ministry separately said it had hit a cargo vessel near Chornomorsk and a tanker near Odesa.

The SBU headquarters is a significant target because the agency plays a central role in Ukraine’s war effort, including operations against Russian infrastructure. BBC World News noted that the strike is a rare instance of Russia successfully hitting a government building in Kyiv. The report also said Russia has increased daytime attacks in recent weeks and has been using faster, harder-to-intercept jet-powered drones more often, although the weapon used in this attack has not been confirmed.

The strike came as US mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were reported to be preparing visits to Moscow and Kyiv over the weekend for talks connected to peace efforts.