Drone strike hits Kyiv’s security headquarters amid wartime tensions

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A Russian unmanned aerial vehicle struck the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) building in Kyiv on Friday afternoon, the Ukrainian government said. The drone targeted a room used by security chief Oleksandr Poklad, though it is unclear if he was present when the strike occurred.

President Volodymyr Zelensky called the attack a decisive escalation and ordered the SBU to prepare an “appropriate, tangible response.” Emergency services were on the scene; the report said all affected individuals would receive necessary assistance.

Sources indicated five people were injured during the strike, including one café customer who was taken to a hospital. Additional damage was reported to a nearby café, bringing the total to three affected by the ongoing invasion.

The SBU building sits just over the road from St. Sophia Cathedral, Kyiv’s oldest church, underscoring the cultural and symbolic significance of the target. The drone strike—the first to successfully hit a government building—highlights the growing efficiency of Russia’s jet‑powered drones.

While the attack intensified tensions, diplomatic efforts continued. US mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were scheduled to meet with Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Zelensky over the weekend, signaling ongoing attempts to de‑escalate the conflict.

The incident demonstrates that the war’s reach extends beyond the frontlines, threatening historic sites and civilians alike. Those communities near Kyiv—many connected to Ukraine’s ancient traditions—now face unpredictable uncertainty as the war drifts toward new heights of modern warfare.