Russian drone hits Security Service headquarters in Kyiv — Zelensky demands response

A Russian drone struck the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) headquarters in central Kyiv in broad daylight, sending black smoke over the historic centre and drawing emergency crews to the scene. Ukrainian authorities said 12 people were injured and rescue teams remained on site.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drone was aimed directly at the office of SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad. The Security Service later confirmed Poklad is safe and was not hurt. Zelensky ordered the SBU to prepare a plan for an "appropriate and concrete response" against Russia and added, "Our military will support this response."

The strike marks a major escalation: it is the first confirmed hit on the SBU headquarters since the conflict began and it struck a central government building located across from Saint Sophia Cathedral, near the Golden Gate and the National Opera.

Ongoing strikes and mounting toll

Kiev has endured nearly continuous air and drone attacks over the past eight days, during which warehouses and factories were hit, including a Coca‑Cola production site. Officials say that since last month at least 53 people have been killed and 134 wounded across the capital and surrounding region. Some international reports quoted a lower casualty figure of five injured for today’s strike; Ukrainian authorities state 12 injured.

Analysts assessing the incidents say the Russian kamikaze drones can travel at speeds approaching 500 kilometres per hour and have repeatedly penetrated Ukrainian air defences. Because the drones are fast and maneuverable they can outpace mobile interceptor teams; the only dependable countermeasures are surface‑to‑air missiles or fighter aircraft, resources for which Ukraine has limited stocks.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha responded forcefully, saying that "Moscow launched this attack at a time of renewed pressure for peace — revealing its true rejection of diplomacy. We call on international partners to unequivocally condemn these actions and increase pressure on Putin's regime."

On the same day, North Macedonia's foreign minister, Timcho Mucunski, was on an official visit to Kyiv and held talks and a press conference with his Ukrainian counterpart Andriy Sybiha.

Photo: Принтскрин