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Russia Strikes Ukraine's SBU Headquarters with Drone, Zelensky Warns of Response
Confirmed
In Short: Ukraine's SBU headquarters in Kyiv was hit by a Russian drone, prompting President Zelensky to call for a proportional response.
In the heart of Kyiv, a Russian drone struck the headquarters of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), according to reports from multiple news outlets. President Volodymyr Zelensky, who spoke with SBU head Oleksandr Poklad, ordered an 'appropriate, tangible response' to the attack.
The strike suggests an increase in the accuracy of Russia's new drones, potentially signaling a step-up in strikes before upcoming mediation talks. These talks, involving US envoys, are scheduled to take place in Moscow and Kyiv this weekend.
Zelensky emphasized that the drone was deliberately aimed at the SBU office, and he instructed Ukrainian forces to prepare a response that mirrors the Russian strike. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched 121 Shahed-type attack drones, including newer jet-powered variants.
Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha described the strike as a major escalation and called for increased international pressure on Russia. Meanwhile, a Ukrainian drone attack on Russia's Belgorod region killed one person and injured another.
The talks, which follow a series of escalating attacks, are set to take place under a ceasefire agreement, with Ukraine pledging not to strike Moscow for three days. However, both sides maintain significant differences and Russia's President Vladimir Putin has stated that he will not make concessions.
What's confirmed
- It is not clear whether Poklad was in the building, but Zelensky said he had since spoken to him to order an "appropriate, tangible response".
- The unmanned aerial vehicle crashed into the SBU headquarters on Friday afternoon, targeting a room used by security chief Oleksandr Poklad.
What's still developing
- He said in a Telegram post that Ukraine will refrain from airstrikes during the negotiations and called on Russia to reciprocate to allow the talks to proceed safely.
- “As for the damaged building, it will definitely be repaired. And the Russians will receive a painful response to their strikes – more special operations, exposed agent networks and destroyed enemies,” the agency said.
- “The geography of our response has been determined. The timing will be chosen to ensure results,” Zelensky said.
- The talks come as the grinding war – which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 – has seen increasing civilian deaths and attacks in the past few months.
- “From now through the end of Saturday, as well as on Sunday and Monday, Ukraine is ready to refrain from strikes on Moscow,” Zelenskyy said on social media.
- But on the other, “following all of Ukraine’s escalating drone operations deep inside Russia and the targeting of major economic and logistics hubs like oil infrastructure and online retailers”, he maintains that he will not make any concessions on any key issues, that major differences remain in place, and that he will not negotiate with “terrorists”.
- He said Putin told the envoys that Russia would achieve its objectives and that the “root causes” of the conflict needed to be resolved.
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