Russian Drone Strikes Ukraine’s Security Service Headquarters, Hits Acting Chief’s Office

A Russian drone struck the office of Ukraine’s acting security chief at the SBU headquarters in central Kyiv, narrowly missing Oleksandr Poklad, who was not in the room when the attack occurred.

The strike happened at about 3:30 p.m. local time on Sept. 4. Images published by Ukrainska Pravda showed a large hole in the building’s facade, with thick black smoke pouring from windows inside. Sources cited by the newspaper said the drone hit Poklad’s office directly.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the office had been the main target. “The drone was aimed directly at the office of the head of the Security Service in that building. I instructed Mr. Poklad to respond to the Russians appropriately, forcefully and, if possible, proportionately to this strike as soon as preparations are complete. Our army will support that response,” he said.

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The drone was aimed directly at the office of the head of the Security Service in that building. I instructed Mr. Poklad to respond to the Russians appropriately, forcefully and, if possible, proportionately to this strike as soon as preparations are complete. Our army will support that response.

Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called on Ukraine’s allies to put greater pressure on Moscow. “Russia’s attack on the SBU headquarters is a serious escalation that demands decisive responses. Moscow launched this strike as peace efforts were being revived, thereby exposing its rejection of genuine diplomacy,” he wrote on X.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said seven people were injured in the attacks on the capital, six of whom were hospitalized. It was not immediately clear whether SBU employees were among the wounded. The SBU plays a central role in Ukraine’s war effort and has carried out deep strikes inside Russia against military and energy infrastructure, including the 2022 bombing of the bridge linking Russia with Crimea and the 2025 “Spider’s Web” operation against strategic military airfields. Russia had not issued an official response, although state news agency RIA Novosti cited Ukrainian media reports. Russia’s Defense Ministry also said it had attacked a cargo ship at Chornomorsk port and an oil tanker near Odesa.

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Russia’s attack on the SBU headquarters is a serious escalation that demands decisive responses. Moscow launched this strike as peace efforts were being revived, thereby exposing its rejection of genuine diplomacy.