Russian drone strikes SBU headquarters in Kyiv targeting intelligence chief

Direct strike on intelligence headquarters

On Friday afternoon at approximately 15:30 local time, a Russian drone struck the central headquarters of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on Volodymyrska Street in central Kyiv. The compound is located directly opposite Saint Sophia Cathedral in the capital's Shevchenkivskyi district. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed that the drone was aimed directly at the office of acting SBU head General Oleksandr Poklad. Video footage published by the Unian news agency showed black smoke pouring from a single window of the building while the remainder of the facade stood intact. According to reporting from Ukrainska Pravda, Poklad was not present inside his office when the blast occurred, and emergency responders quickly deployed to secure the facility.

Casualties and damage across the district

The explosion damaged nearby urban infrastructure and destroyed a bakery located directly across the street from the intelligence complex. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported a fire on the roof of the non-residential structure and confirmed that at least nine people sustained injuries, with seven requiring transport to local hospitals. Thick black smoke rose over the central quarter, prompting local residents, including 33-year-old Oleh, to voice concerns over recurring strikes in urban centres as the war continues. The attack is the tenth consecutive day of sustained Russian drone barrages against Kyiv. Two days earlier, on Wednesday, another strike hit a university in the city centre, injuring at least seven people.

Diplomatic reactions and retaliatory orders

Following the strike, President Zelensky spoke directly with Poklad and instructed the intelligence agency to prepare a direct counter-operation in coordination with the Ukrainian armed forces.

I ordered Poklad to respond to the Russians to this attack adequately, tangibly, and if possible symmetrically when everything is ready. Our military will support this response.

Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha characterised the strike as a serious escalation designed to undermine diplomatic initiatives ahead of a planned visit by United States envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff. Sybiha called on allied nations and UNESCO to condemn the strike and increase international pressure on Moscow, noting the immediate risk posed to the adjacent world heritage cathedral.

Moscow delivered this strike precisely as peace efforts resumed, exposing its true rejection of diplomacy.

Operational context of the security service

Direct impacts on government buildings in Kyiv remain rare across more than four and a half years of full-scale warfare. The SBU serves as a central intelligence agency responsible for operations deep inside Russian territory aimed at weakening military machinery and energy supply chains. Key previous missions linked to the agency include the 2022 explosion that damaged the Crimean bridge and the 2025 "Cobweb" drone operation targeting Russian strategic bombers. The agency has also participated in targeted killings of high-ranking Russian military commanders accused by Kyiv of war crimes, missions that Russian authorities denounce as acts of terrorism.