Russian Drone Hits Ukraine Security Service Headquarters in Kyiv, Injuring at Least 12
Russian strikes across Ukraine killed at least six people and injured dozens in the past day, including a direct drone hit on the Security Service of Ukraine headquarters in central Kyiv that injured at least 12. [3][4][5]
Russian Drone Strikes SBU Headquarters in Kyiv
A Russian drone hit the headquarters of the Security Service of Ukraine in central Kyiv on 4 September. [3][4][5] The unmanned aerial vehicle crashed into the building during an air raid alert and struck a room used by security chief Oleksandr Poklad. [4] Local authorities reported that at least 12 people were injured in the attack. [3][5] Images showed black smoke pouring from two windows on the front of the building. [4] A nearby café was damaged and one customer was taken to hospital. [4] Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said five people had been hurt in the SBU attack. [4] President Volodymyr Zelensky said he had spoken to Poklad and ordered an appropriate, tangible response that mirrors the strike where possible. [4] Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha described the attack as a major escalation that demands resolute responses. [4] The SBU building is located just over the road from St Sophia cathedral. [4]
Overnight Attacks Hit Kyiv Region Residential Building
Overnight strikes on 4-5 September hit a nine-story residential building in Boryspil near Kyiv. [3][5] Two women were injured in the attack and both were hospitalized. [5] The roof and top floor of the building were damaged and set ablaze. [3][5] Explosions were heard in Kyiv city center late on 4 September. [3][5] Air raid alerts were declared in the capital and Kyiv Oblast several times overnight, including from 11:55 p.m. until 12:26 a.m. local time in the Boryspil district. [5] Sirens blared again in Kyiv and the surrounding region at around 2 a.m., and attacks continued into the night. [5] The Air Force issued its latest warning to Kyiv at around 3:30 a.m. local time. [5]
Fatal Strikes in Dnipro and Southern Regions
Russian strikes also killed four and injured five outside Dnipro, with one injury life-threatening. [3] Two people were killed and 27 injured in Russian attacks on Kherson Oblast that damaged a high-rise residential building, five houses, a bank, a mobile phone mast, a bus and cars. [1] Seven people were injured in Donetsk Oblast, six in Druzhkivka and one in Kramatorsk. [1] Russian forces struck a Mykolaiv shopping centre with drones on 4 September and overnight into 5 September, injuring a 72-year-old man and a 17-year-old girl and causing fires. [2] The strikes damaged the shopping centre's retail areas. [2]
Context of Escalation During Diplomatic Efforts
The strikes on Kyiv continued after midnight on 5 September despite the beginning of a reported ceasefire during the visit of U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner. [5] US mediators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner will visit Russia and Ukraine this weekend. [4] The envoys will meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday in Moscow and then hold talks with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday in Kyiv. [4] The drone came during yet another air raid alert. [4] In recent weeks Russia has escalated its daytime strikes on Ukrainian targets. [4]
Emergency Response Under Threat
Firefighters worked at the Mykolaiv shopping centre under the constant threat of further strikes. [2] Because of the danger, personnel were repeatedly withdrawn to a safe distance. [2] As soon as the situation allowed, they returned to dealing with the aftermath of the attack. [2]
What to watch next: US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are scheduled to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin on Saturday in Moscow before holding talks with Ukraine's Volodymyr Zelensky on Sunday in Kyiv.
