Russian Drone Strikes Kyiv Intelligence Headquarters

A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) in central Kyiv on Friday afternoon, sending thick black smoke over a historic district near Saint Sophia Cathedral. Emergency teams rushed to the scene as President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the attack was deliberately aimed at the office of SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad.

SBU Chief Was Not in the Building

AFP, citing informed sources, reported that Poklad was not in his office at the time of the strike. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed at least five people were injured. A bakery directly across from the SBU building was also destroyed. A photograph published by Ukrainska Pravda showed black smoke rising from several windows of the intelligence agency's building.

Zelensky Orders a Proportionate Response

President Zelensky stated he had issued orders to prepare a proportionate and noticeable response corresponding as closely as possible to the nature of the strike. Kyiv has been under continuous Russian drone bombardment for ten days straight. Just two days earlier, on Wednesday, a university in the city center was hit, wounding at least seven people. Strikes on government buildings remain comparatively rare in the over four-and-a-half-year conflict.

SBU's Role in the War

The SBU plays a central role in Ukraine's defence against Russia's full-scale invasion. The agency is credited with operations deep inside Russian territory, including the 2022 Crimean Bridge explosion and the 2025 large-scale drone operation codenamed Spiderweb targeting Russian strategic bombers.