In brief
In a dramatic escalation, a Russian drone smashed into the main building of Ukraine’s Security Service in Kyiv, a rare hit on a government facility. President Zelensky confirmed the attack and ordered a “tangible response” from security chief Oleksandr Poklad, while emergency crews were dispatched. The incident followed a string of high‑profile drone strikes and comes as U.S. mediators prepare to traverse Moscow and Kyiv in a bid to broker peace. The assault, witnessed by black smoke and damage to nearby cafés, underscores Russia’s mounting precision capabilities and its willingness to intensify pressure on Kyiv.
A Russian drone slammed into the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) in the heart of Kyiv, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky, adding another blow to an already intense conflict.
The projectile crashed near the office of security chief Oleksandr Poklad – though it is not confirmed whether he was inside when the strike occurred. Zelensky said that he has since directed Poklad to coordinate a “tangible response” that mirrors the attack, while the Ukrainian military stands ready to support the counter‑action.
Emergency services were quickly on scene, with firefighters battling smoke that poured from two windows of the building. Five residents were reported injured, and a nearby café sustained damage, bringing its owner’s third hit from the ongoing invasion to a painful reality.
Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called the raid a “major escalation that demands resolute responses,” arguing that Moscow’s action signals a rejection of diplomacy even as U.S. mediators travel to Russia and Ukraine this weekend in an attempt to broker a ceasefire.
While the missile used remains unidentified, the strike highlights the increasing precision of Russia’s drone arsenal and its willingness to target key Ukrainian security nodes. With U.S. envoys set to meet President Vladimir Putin on Saturday and President Zelensky on Sunday, the international community watches closely as the conflict faces another potential turning point.
