Zelenskyy says Russian drone struck central SBU building in Kyiv
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that a Russian drone struck the central building of the Security Service of Ukraine on Volodymyrska Street in Kyiv on Friday, opposite St. Sophia Cathedral. According to him, the drone was aimed directly at the office of the SBU chief in the building.
As France 24 reports, the president spoke about the attack after a conversation with acting SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad. Zelenskyy also said that he instructed the head of the special service to prepare an appropriate and tangible response to Russia — the aggressor state — and, if possible, a symmetrical one, when everything is ready.
Injured people and emergency services
Kyiv’s mayor reported that five people were injured in the attack. A senior official who spoke to AFP on condition of anonymity said that Oleksandr Poklad was not near the strike site at the time of the attack.
More current news is available on the UA.News Telegram channel Telegram.
Thick black smoke rose over the historic part of Kyiv near St. Sophia Cathedral. Ambulances and emergency services arrived at the scene. The owner of the popular Zavertailo bakery said on Telegram that the establishment’s building had been destroyed in the attack.
Sybiha’s statement
Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the attack on the SBU headquarters a significant escalation that, he said, requires a decisive response. He urged allies to increase pressure on Moscow and said that the strike was carried out amid a new push for a peace settlement, which, in his view, indicates Russia’s rejection of diplomacy.
According to France 24, Kyiv has been under continuous Russian drone attacks for ten days. A university in the city center was also struck on Wednesday. The outlet reports that Russia has been using fast jet-powered drones in recent days, with strikes occurring both at night and during the day.
