Conflict & Security
SBU headquarters strike in Kyiv wounds 12, Ukraine says
A Russian drone struck Ukraine's SBU security service headquarters in central Kyiv on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said, and the city mayor said at least 12 people were wounded in the attack on the city centre.
Zelensky said the drone hit the SBU's central building on Volodymyrska Street, opposite St. Sophia Cathedral, and was aimed directly at the office of the head of the security service.
A senior Ukrainian official told AFP that acting SBU head Oleksandr Poklad was not near the site at the time. The SBU said Poklad was unharmed and that the building would be restored.
Zelensky said he had spoken to Poklad and instructed the SBU to prepare an “appropriate, tangible response”. He said the areas to be targeted had been identified and that the timing would be chosen to ensure success.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiga called the strike a “major escalation”. Russia did not immediately comment.
An image published by Ukrainska Pravda showed what appeared to be black smoke coming from at least two windows of the SBU building. An AFP reporter saw several ambulances nearby. AFP could not immediately verify what kind of munition was used.
The SBU is Ukraine's internal security agency and has been behind multiple attacks on Russia. AFP reported that it was the first time the agency's headquarters had been hit since Russia's invasion began in 2022.
Attacks on government buildings in central Kyiv are rare. Russia has increased daytime strikes on Ukraine in recent weeks, sometimes using jet-powered drones that are harder for air defences to destroy.
A senior Ukrainian official told AFP that US President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner were expected to visit Kyiv for the first time on Sunday.
The strike came after a gunfight earlier in the week between members of the SBU and Ukraine's GUR military intelligence agency, an incident Zelensky called “completely unacceptable”.
Update
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least 12 people were wounded in the attack on the city centre, up from the earlier figure of nine.
The SBU said acting head Oleksandr Poklad was unharmed and that the building would be restored.
AFP reported it was the first time the SBU headquarters had been hit since Russia's invasion began in 2022.
Zelensky said areas for a Ukrainian response had been identified and timing would be chosen for success.
The item adds that tensions between the SBU and GUR had risen after a gunfight between members of the agencies earlier in the week.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 September 2026 at 16:03:15 UTC.
Update
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least nine people were wounded, up from the earlier figure of at least five.
A senior Ukrainian official said acting SBU head Oleksandr Poklad was not near the strike area.
A senior Ukrainian official said Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were expected to visit Kyiv two days later.
Ukraine's foreign minister described the strike as a major escalation.
Russia did not immediately respond.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 September 2026 at 15:06:56 UTC.
Update
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least five people were wounded.
An AFP reporter saw ambulances near the scene.
An image published by Ukrainska Pravda showed what appeared to be black smoke from at least two windows and a fire engine outside.
Zelensky identified the location as Volodymyrska Street, opposite St. Sophia Cathedral.
Zelensky said he spoke with the head of the SBU, Oleksandr Poklad, and instructed him to prepare an appropriate response where possible.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 September 2026 at 13:42:18 UTC.
Update
Zelensky said the Russian drone strike was aimed directly at the office of the SBU security chief.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 September 2026 at 13:21:18 UTC.
Update
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the drone hit the SBU's central building on Volodymyrska Street in Kyiv, opposite St. Sophia Cathedral.
Zelensky said the drone was aimed directly at the office of SBU head Oleksandr Poklad.
An AFP reporter saw ambulances parked near the scene.
Source note: AFP news report published on 4 September 2026 at 13:24:51 UTC.
Uncertainty notes
AFP could not immediately verify what kind of munition was used.
Klitschko did not specify whether the wounded people were inside the SBU building.
Source
AFP news report published on .