A Russian drone has directly struck Ukraine’s heavily protected SBU headquarters for the first time in the war, leaving 12 people injured. The post Russian drone strikes Ukraine’s security headquarters in central Kyiv for first time in war appeared first on Nehanda Radio .
A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service in central Kyiv on Friday, injuring 12 people in an unprecedented direct hit on one of the country’s most important government buildings.
The daytime attack hit the SBU complex on Volodymyrska Street, opposite the historic St Sophia’s Cathedral, sending thick black smoke over the centre of the Ukrainian capital.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said 12 people were injured, including two who were seriously hurt. Emergency services were deployed to the scene as authorities assessed the damage. Earlier casualty figures had been lower before officials updated the toll.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the drone had been directed at the office of acting SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad inside the building.
“Unfortunately, a Russian drone struck the central building of the Security Service of Ukraine on Volodymyrska Street in Kyiv, across from St Sophia Cathedral,” Zelenskyy said after speaking to Poklad.
“The drone was aimed directly at the office of the head of the Security Service in that building.”
Poklad was not reported injured in the attack.
The strike was the first known direct hit on the SBU headquarters since Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022.
Zelenskyy said Ukraine had identified targets for a retaliatory response, while Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the attack as a “major escalation”.
The SBU is Ukraine’s principal domestic security and counterintelligence agency. It has also played a central role in covert operations and long-range attacks against military targets inside Russia.
These included Operation Spiderweb in June 2025, when Ukrainian drones concealed inside trucks were used to attack Russian strategic bombers at several airbases deep inside the country.
Russia had not publicly commented on the specific strike against the SBU headquarters at the time of publication.
The attack followed days of near-continuous Russian drone and missile strikes on Kyiv and its surrounding region.
A major bombardment earlier in the week killed 12 people and injured at least 21 others in the capital and neighbouring districts. Russia reportedly used ballistic and cruise missiles alongside more than 200 drones and decoys during that assault.
Friday’s direct hit on a heavily protected government complex has intensified concerns about Ukraine’s shortage of air-defence systems and interceptor missiles.
Ukraine has repeatedly appealed to its Western allies for additional Patriot batteries and other equipment capable of protecting cities, power infrastructure and strategic government facilities from Russia’s expanding aerial campaign.
The strike also came shortly before anticipated visits to Moscow and Kyiv by American envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner amid efforts to revive diplomatic negotiations over the war.
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