Overview
- A Russian drone struck the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) headquarters on Friday, Sept. 4, and President Volodymyr Zelensky said the munition was aimed at the SBU chief’s office.
- Local officials reported roughly a dozen wounded and emergency crews at the scene, and nearby historic buildings in the St. Sophia complex sustained damage while the cathedral itself was reported intact.
- Ukrainian leaders said the SBU chief was unharmed and Zelensky ordered the agency to prepare an “appropriate, tangible” retaliatory response once plans are ready.
- The strike came as U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner were expected to travel to Moscow and Kyiv, a timing Kyiv says raises security concerns for diplomacy and prompted Zelensky to propose a ceasefire for negotiators’ safety.
- Analysts and officials warn this attack reflects an escalation in daytime, long‑range and jet‑powered drone strikes that have strained Ukraine’s interceptor stocks and increased risk to civilians, infrastructure and cultural sites.