Ukraine says Russian drone struck security service headquarters in Kyiv, 5 injured

A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU), the country’s top internal security agency, in Kyiv on Friday, President Volodymyr Zelensky said. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least five people were wounded in the attack on the city centre.

The strike came amid a recent rise in Russia's daytime attacks on Ukraine, at times involving jet-powered drones that are more difficult for air defences to intercept.

After the attack, Zelensky said he had spoken with SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad and had instructed him to prepare "an appropriate, tangible response" and, where possible, one that would "mirror this strike" once everything was ready.

A photograph published by Ukrainian media outlet Ukrainska Pravda appeared to show black smoke billowing from at least two front windows of the building, with a fire engine and ambulances parked outside.

On Telegram, Zelensky said the drone hit the SBU's main building on Volodymyrska Street in Kyiv, opposite St Sophia Cathedral. He said the drone had been directed specifically at the office of the head of the security service inside the building.

In recent weeks, Russia has stepped up daytime strikes on Ukraine, sometimes using jet-powered drones that are harder for air defences to bring down. India Today could not immediately verify the type of munition used in this attack.

The strike on the SBU headquarters in central Kyiv left at least five people injured, according to the mayor, while Zelensky described it as a direct hit on the security agency's main building and said he had already spoken to the SBU chief about a possible response.