Russian Drone Strikes Ukraine Security Service HQ in Kyiv

A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine's SBU security service in central Kyiv on Friday, targeting the office of the agency's acting chief, Oleksandr Poklad.

President Volodymyr Zelensky stated the drone was aimed directly at Poklad's office within the central building on Volodymyrska Street, opposite St. Sophia Cathedral. Poklad was not in the office at the time of the strike. Five people were injured in the attack, according to Kyiv's mayor, Vitaly Klitschko, who also reported that a fire in a non-residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district had been brought under control.

Zelensky instructed Poklad to prepare a "" and, if possible, in kind response to the attack, with the military's support. The strike occurred amidst a week of sustained Russian drone attacks on Kyiv, with previous strikes hitting buildings across the city center and warehouses. The SBU headquarters is located in the historic center of Kyiv, near the Golden Gate area.

Eyewitnesses reported hearing an explosion around 3:30 p.m. local time, followed by thick smoke rising from the site. The attack took place during an air-raid alert, with Ukraine's air force warning of multiple drones heading towards the city. Officials stated there were no injuries when a Coca-Cola plant in the suburbs was struck earlier. The strike may be a Russian retaliation for alleged SBU involvement in assassination attempts against senior Russian military and security officials, including the shooting of Maj. Gen. Nikolai Varpakhovich on Thursday.