A Russian drone has hit the headquarters of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) during a strike in the heart of Kyiv, President Volodymyr Zelensky said.
The unmanned aerial vehicle crashed into the SBU headquarters on Friday afternoon, targeting a room used by security chief Oleksandr Poklad. It is not clear whether Poklad was inside, but Zelensky said he had since spoken to him to order an “appropriate, tangible response”.
“The drone was aimed directly at the office of the Head of the Security Service in that building,” Zelensky confirmed. The attack suggests Russia’s new drones are growing in accuracy and could prompt Moscow to intensify strikes ahead of U.S. mediation talks this weekend.
“All emergency services are on the scene. Everyone affected will receive the necessary assistance,” Zelensky added in a message on Telegram. He will have Poklad deliver a “tangible” response that mirrors this strike, with military support to follow.
Images of the office showed black smoke pouring from two windows on the front of the building. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha described the attack as a “major escalation” demanding resolute action, while Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed five people were hurt, one being taken to hospital after the strike damaged a nearby café.
The Russian defence ministry also claimed to have struck a cargo vessel in the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk and a tanker near Odesa on the same day. In recent weeks Russia has escalated its daytime strikes using jet‑powered drones, which are faster and more difficult to intercept.
Despite ongoing exchanges, U.S. mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are set to visit Russia and Ukraine this weekend to continue efforts to end the war, meeting President Vladimir Putin in Moscow and President Zelensky in Kyiv.
