A Russian drone strike hit the headquarters of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in central Kyiv on Friday afternoon. President Volodymyr Zelensky stated that the unmanned aerial vehicle was specifically aimed at the office of security chief Oleksandr Poklad. While it remains unconfirmed if Poklad was present during the impact, Zelensky confirmed he has since communicated with the official and ordered a “tangible response” to be carried out by the military.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that five individuals were injured in the attack. The strike also caused damage to a nearby café, where one customer required hospitalization. Stanislav Zavertaylo, a co-owner of the damaged establishment, noted that this incident marks the third time one of his locations has been impacted since the start of the full-scale invasion.

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Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha characterized the strike as a significant escalation, arguing that the timing of the attack—coinciding with ongoing diplomatic efforts—demonstrates a rejection of peace negotiations by Moscow. The Russian Ministry of Defence separately reported strikes on a cargo vessel in Chornomorsk and a tanker near Odesa on the same day.

The incident occurs as U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner prepare for a weekend of shuttle diplomacy. Reports indicate the pair are scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday, followed by discussions with President Zelensky in Kyiv on Sunday, as part of ongoing efforts to broker a resolution to the conflict.

Source: BBC News