A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in central Kyiv on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said. The drone targeted the office of acting SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad, though he was not present at the time of the strike. Zelenskyy has ordered the SBU to deliver a “tangible response” mirroring the attack. Five people were injured in the attack, and a nearby café sustained damage. The strike occurred amid intensified Russian aerial attacks and as US mediators prepare to visit Moscow and Kyiv this weekend.
Zelenskyy confirmed the drone “was aimed directly at the office” of Poklad, describing it as a potential escalation in Russia’s tactics and a signal of increased strikes. Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha labeled the attack a “major escalation” and suggested it exposed Moscow’s rejection of diplomatic efforts. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported nine people were injured in a fire following the strike in the Shevchenkivskyi district. Stanislav Zavertaylo, co-owner of a damaged café, stated this was the third of his establishments to be hit since the start of the full-scale invasion.
In addition to the SBU headquarters, Russia’s defense ministry claimed to have struck a cargo vessel in the port of Chornomorsk and a tanker near Odesa. Recent weeks have seen a rise in Russian daytime strikes employing faster, harder-to-intercept jet-powered drones. The SBU headquarters, located near St. Sophia cathedral, is a key component of Ukraine’s war efforts, conducting strikes against Russian infrastructure.
While left-leaning outlets emphasized the escalation and potential rejection of diplomacy, right-leaning coverage focused on the timing of the strike ahead of US-led peace talks. The type of munition used in the attack remains unknown.
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