Russia struck the SBU headquarters in Kyiv
The drone was reportedly directed at the office of the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), Oleksandr Poklad. He himself was not in the office at the time of the strike.
Russia strikes SBU headquarters in Kyiv
A Russian drone hit the building of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) headquarters located on Volodymyrska Street in the center of Kyiv.
President Volodymyr Zelensky announced this after a conversation with the head of the SBU, Oleksandr Poklad.
According to him, the drone was directed towards the office of the head of the special service.
"All those injured will be provided with the necessary assistance," Zelensky added. He also instructed Poklad, with the involvement of the military, to "deliver a worthy, tangible, and, if possible, symmetrical response to the Russians for this strike."
According to the "Ukrainska Pravda" publication, the head of the SBU was not in his office during the attack, which occurred at approximately 3:30 PM local time. A video from the scene shows thick smoke coming from the window of the building that was hit. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that in the Shevchenko district, where Volodymyrska Street is located, a drone crashed onto the roof of a non-residential building. According to him, nine people were injured as a result, seven of whom were hospitalized. Half an hour before the attack, an air raid alert had been declared in the city, and the Air Force had warned of approaching jet drones.
Additionally, a cafe belonging to the "Zavertyailo" chain, located near the SBU headquarters, was destroyed. According to the company, one woman was injured and hospitalized. The remaining guests and staff managed to hide in the basement.
On July 17, Zelensky appointed Poklad as acting head of the SBU, replacing Yevhen Khmara, who had been the Minister of Defense. Prior to this, Poklad served as the deputy head of this agency.
The strike occurred on the eve of a visit by American negotiators. According to TASS, US presidential special envoy Steve Witkoff and Donald Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner will visit Moscow on September 5 and Kyiv on September 6.