Russian strike hits National Academy of Sciences building in Kyiv; casualties reported

Russian military aircraft struck Kyiv on September 28, 2026, hitting the building that houses the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and setting off a large rescue operation, Ukrainian authorities said. Early reports from the scene described fires, structural damage and casualties.

Attack and response

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a statement on X saying: "A Russian strike against the building of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. A rescue operation is underway: crews are putting out the fire and searching for people who may have been trapped inside. All services are deployed. Today in Kyiv, a pharmaceutical company and gas stations were also attacked; in Dnipro, a business center; and in other cities and regions, civilian facilities, businesses, and communications infrastructure were targeted as well. Sadly, people have been killed… My condolences to their families and loved ones. Russia will definitely face a response to this. And every one of Ukraine’s partners must see from this terror, from these strikes, that supporting Ukraine means truly supporting people’s lives – supporting the principle that terror must never be normalized, anywhere. Russia must be held accountable for all of this and face real consequences. I thank everyone who helps Ukraine!"

Video circulating on social networks shows the Academy building burning and badly damaged, and local emergency crews working at the scene. Officials reported that fire teams were trying to extinguish flames while search teams checked for people who might still be trapped inside.

According to officials, the strike on the Academy was one element of a broader wave of attacks across the country. In addition to the Kyiv targets, authorities reported damage to civilian infrastructure in other cities and regions, including a business center in Dnipro.

Rescue and emergency services were deployed across multiple sites as crews coordinated firefighting, medical aid and search operations. At this stage authorities have confirmed casualties but have not released a comprehensive toll.

President Zelenskyy vowed that Russia would face consequences and offered condolences to the families of those killed. Investigations and damage assessments are expected to continue as emergency teams clear the affected sites.

Photo: press material from the event