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Russian drone strikes Ukrainian security service headquarters in central Kyiv

Ukrainian officials reported casualties and vowed retaliation ahead of scheduled visits by US envoys.

Updated Sep 4, 2026 · 18:32 UTC4 reports

The short version

  • A Russian drone struck the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) headquarters on Volodymyrska Street in central Kyiv.[The Guardian · France 24]
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated the drone targeted the security chief's office and ordered a retaliatory response.[The Guardian · BBC News]
  • Official injury counts varied between 5 and 12 people.[The Guardian · BBC News · PBS NewsHour]
  • The attack took place ahead of planned diplomatic visits to Kyiv by US mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.[The Guardian · PBS NewsHour]

Key facts

  • A Russian drone struck the central headquarters of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on Volodymyrska Street in central Kyiv.[The Guardian · France 24]
  • President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that the drone targeted the office of acting SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad and instructed the service to prepare a tangible response.[The Guardian · BBC News]
  • Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha called the strike a major escalation demonstrating a rejection of diplomacy.[BBC News · PBS NewsHour]
  • The strike occurred as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were expected to travel to the region for talks.[The Guardian · PBS NewsHour]

What remains uncertain

  • The exact number of injuries remains unverified, with local authorities and reports variously citing 5, 9, or 12 people wounded.[The Guardian · BBC News · PBS NewsHour]
  • Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to confirm whether US envoys would hold talks in Moscow.[PBS NewsHour]

Sources

Outlet counts describe coverage, not independent confirmation. Reports may share a wire service or original source.