Russian drone strikes SBU headquarters in Kyiv

A Russian drone struck the central headquarters of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) in Kyiv on Friday afternoon, directly targeting the office of acting chief Oleksandr Poklad in what President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called a deliberate attack on one of the country's most important government buildings.

The strike hit the SBU's main building on Volodymyrska Street, opposite the historic St. Sophia Cathedral, at around 3:30 p.m. local time. Five people were injured, with four hospitalized, according to Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Heavy black smoke rose from the site as emergency services responded.euronews+3

Zelenskyy Orders 'Mirrored' Response

Zelenskyy confirmed the attack after speaking with Poklad, stating that "the drone was aimed directly at the office of the head of the Security Service in that building". He said he had instructed Poklad to prepare retaliation.cnn+2

"I gave Poklad the task to respond adequately, tangibly and, if possible, in a mirrored way to the Russians for this strike, when everything is prepared," Zelenskyy wrote on X, adding that Ukraine's military "will support this response".euronews+2

Escalating Aerial Campaign

The strike came amid an escalating Russian aerial campaign against the Ukrainian capital. Russia has ramped up daytime drone attacks on Kyiv in recent days, with Ukraine's air force warning that several jet-powered UAVs were heading toward the city during Friday's air-raid alert.censor+1

The attack also destroyed a nearby restaurant belonging to the Zavertailo chain, located next to St. Sophia Cathedral. "Russia has destroyed our establishment again," owner Stanislav Zavertailo said on Telegram.kyivindependent+1

Historic Target in the Heart of Kyiv

The SBU building sits in one of Kyiv's most historically sensitive areas, near the Golden Gate landmark and the Zoloti Vorota metro station. A TVP World correspondent at the scene reported that police and security services had cordoned off the area, preventing anyone from approaching. The direct hit on such a prominent government facility underscored what CNN described as "days of near continuous aerial assaults by Russia on the Ukrainian capital".tvpworld+4