Russia’s Drone Strikes Kyiv’s Security HQ, Prompting Vow of Retaliation
A Russian drone burst into the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service on Friday afternoon, igniting new tensions in the capital. The unmanned aircraft slammed into a building that houses a room used by the security chief, Oleksandr Poklad.
Zelensky confirmed the incident, noting that an explosion echoed across the rooftops and smoke spilled into the sky. He stressed that emergency services were on the scene and would provide aid to anyone affected.
The president subsequently issued instructions to Poklad to deliver a “tangible, appropriate” response, mirroring the strike, and pledged military support. Ukrainians are demanding a clear re‑action from the Kremlin.
Two windows at the front of the building jammed with black smoke, a sight widely shared online. The attack is considered a rare success at striking a government building from the Russian side.
Following the blast, five people sustained injuries, including a café patron who was taken to hospital. Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko reported damage to a nearby café that saw its glass shattered.
The Russian defence ministry also announced a strike on a cargo vessel in the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk and a tanker near Odesa on the same day.
The drone used remains unknown, yet reports point towards jet‑powered models that are harder to intercept. The incident comes at a time when US mediators are scheduled to meet for a possible peace settlement this weekend.
Firefighters work to tame the blaze in a photo from Reuters showing a long‑reach hose spritzing the damaged building.
