Russian Drone Strikes Ukraine SBU Headquarters in Kyiv
Drone Strike Hits SBU Headquarters in Kyiv
A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service, known as the SBU, in central Kyiv on September 4. [1] The attack came as Russia continued its near-daily air strikes on the Ukrainian capital. [1] Kyiv has been under repeated drone attacks for 10 consecutive days, with the latest strike causing heavy smoke to rise over the city center. [1] Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least seven people were injured in the attack. [1] It was not immediately known whether any SBU employees were among those hurt. [1] “The drone was aimed directly at the office of the Head of the Security Service in that building,” Zelenskyy said. [1] The strike marked a significant escalation because Ukrainian government buildings have rarely been directly damaged during more than four years of war with Russia. [1] The SBU headquarters is located in a historic part of central Kyiv, close to Saint Sophia Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site. [1] Emergency crews and ambulances were sent to the area after the explosion. [1] The owner of the Zavertailo bakery, located opposite the SBU building, said on Telegram that the bakery building had also been destroyed. [1] The attack alarmed people in the area. [1] One woman was heard telling someone on the phone that she had briefly gone out to buy cigarettes when the explosion suddenly occurred. [1] On Friday, a Russian drone hit one of the most important government buildings in Kyiv — the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service, which is one of the agencies involved in carrying out deep-strike operations inside Russia. [4]
Zelenskyy Orders Response to Russian Attack
Zelenskyy said he had ordered Ukrainian officials to prepare a strong response against Russia. [1] He indicated that Kyiv would consider carrying out a similar strike against Russian targets if possible. [1] The latest attack followed another strike on September 2 that hit a university in central Kyiv. [1] The continuing attacks have increased concern among residents, who have been forced to live with frequent explosions and air-raid warnings. [1] Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Friday said Ukraine would halt airstrikes during the envoys’ visit and urged Moscow to do the same. [4] Zelenskiy wrote on social media that Russia had carried out overnight strikes on Kyiv and Boryspil international airports, and linked the attack to the US visit. [4] “Clearly, these Russian strikes on the airports are a reaction to the discussions and preparations for the possibility of the US side using an aircraft to travel to Ukraine,” he said. [4] “We have taken note of this Russian move, and next week we will adjust our operation accordingly regarding Russian airspace, which has become dangerous because of our drones and missiles in the sky. Of course, there are and will be no threats to diplomacy from our side.” [4]
Russian drone strike causes smoke to rise over central Kyiv near SBU headquarters. — Source: ukrainskapravda
Putin Announces Three-Day Pause in Kyiv Strikes
Russian leader Vladimir Putin has said during a meeting with US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner that no strikes had been carried out on Kyiv since midnight on 5 September, but that Russia had never agreed with Ukraine on a broader ceasefire. [2] Witkoff thanked Putin for agreeing to a three-day ceasefire during which neither Kyiv nor Moscow would be struck. [2] Putin stated: "We received this request through official channels: both through intelligence channels and through the Foreign Ministry channels – to stop strikes on Kyiv. I issued the relevant order, and no strikes have been carried out on Kyiv since midnight. I would like to note that the Ukrainian side has also significantly reduced strikes on Russian territory, including on Moscow. The Ukrainian authorities published their call for a broader three-day ceasefire, but we never agreed on this with them. Nevertheless, we will do everything in our power to ensure the security of the negotiation process and of the mediators in your person and, possibly, the people accompanying you." [2] Putin also said he planned to discuss "all the modalities" of a settlement in Ukraine with Witkoff and Kushner. [2] Putin noted that Moscow was comfortable working with Witkoff and Kushner and that such contacts were always beneficial. [2] For his part, Witkoff called communicating with the Russian leader one of the best and most memorable moments of his life. [2] Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a 72-hour pause in strikes on Kyiv, the Kremlin said yesterday, as US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow to try to revive a stalled push to end Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. [4] “Putin has ordered that no strikes be carried out against Kyiv for three days, starting at midnight today,” presidential spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. [4] The decision was tied to preparations for the envoys’ planned visit to the Ukrainian capital, which Kyiv has said will take place today, he added. [4] Kremlin spokesman says pause takes effect at midnight as Witkoff, Kushner prepare to travel to Ukrainian capital. [5]
US Envoys' Visit and Ceasefire Context
Putin’s meeting with US representatives. [2] US President Donald Trump's envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner arrived in Moscow on 5 September. [2] They arrived at the Kremlin after a business lunch with Kirill Dmitriev, Putin's special envoy. [2] The American negotiators are expected in Kyiv on 6 September. [2] On the afternoon of 5 September, the Kremlin announced that Putin has ordered that no strikes be carried out on Kyiv for three days, starting from midnight. [2] After speaking with Trump's special envoys, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy stated that Kyiv is willing to halt airstrikes on the cities involved in the negotiating process. [2] Ukrainska Pravda reported that the Ukrainian authorities had sought to establish a temporary ceasefire along the line of contact ahead of the visit by Trump's special envoys. [2] Ukraine's defence forces were ordered to observe a ceasefire from 00:00 on 5 September until 23:59 on 8 September. [2] Russian forces thwarted this plan. [2] Ukraine's General Staff later said that fighting is continuing along the line of contact because the Russians have not stopped their attacks on Ukraine. [2] Kyrylo Budanov, Head of the President's Office, later confirmed that the ceasefire proposal had been conveyed to Putin, who had not responded. [2] The last known visit to Moscow by Witkoff and Kushner was in January, when they met with Putin in the Kremlin. [4] The envoys were met yesterday at the airport by Russian envoy Kirill Dmitriev, Tass reported. [4] Dmitriev shared photos of him greeting the US delegation as they disembarked, alongside the caption: “Welcome to Moscow Peacemakers.” [4] With peace efforts stalled, Russia had intensified its attacks on Kyiv and other cities with relentless bombardments recently stretching into daylight hours, taking advantage of Ukraine’s shortage of air defensive systems. [4] The air war between Russia and Ukraine has intensified as troops have struggled to make progress along the front line. [4] Russia has been using fast-flying, jet-powered drones, and the recurring wail of air-raid sirens has become part of daily life in Kyiv. [4]
SBU's Role in Ukraine's Operations Against Russia
The SBU plays an important role in Ukraine’s military campaign against Russia. [1] The agency has carried out several high-profile operations designed to damage Russian military capabilities and critical infrastructure. [1] Among the operations linked to the SBU was the 2022 bombing of a bridge connecting Russia with occupied Crimea. [1] In 2025, the agency also carried out an operation known as Spiderweb, which used drones to attack Russian strategic bombers. [1] The SBU has also been widely linked to covert operations targeting senior Russian military and other officials whom Ukraine accuses of involvement in war crimes. [1] Russia has condemned such killings and described them as terrorist attacks. [1] The latest drone strike therefore carries significance beyond the physical damage caused in Kyiv. [1] The attack targeted one of Ukraine’s most important security agencies at a time when Russia is maintaining intense pressure on the capital through repeated air attacks. [1] The long-range strikes by Ukraine have hit Russian military facilities, oil refineries and e-commerce hubs, seeking to undermine the Kremlin’s war effort and economy, as well as make ordinary citizens feel the consequences of the war. [4]
Continued Russian Attacks Outside Kyiv
Since the beginning of 5 September, an air-raid warning has been issued five times in Kyiv. [2] As a result of Russian attacks on Kyiv Oblast on 5 September, two people were killed, and 28 properties in five districts were damaged. [2] Two people have been killed, including a child, and one woman has been injured as a result of a Russian drone strike on the centre of the city of Chuhuiv in Kharkiv Oblast. [3] Syniehubov said that Russian forces had struck a residential house in Chuhuiv with a drone. [3] Early reports indicate that two people were killed, including a child. [3] A 40-year-old woman was also injured. [3] A residential house, an outbuilding and a garage were destroyed. [3] A fire is raging at the site of the Russian strike. [3] Minaieva noted that the attack was carried out in the centre of Chuhuiv on the evening of 5 September. [3] She also said that the injured woman had sustained a serious injury. [3] Later, Syniehubov added that the death toll from the Russian strike on Chuhuiv had risen to three: a 19-year-old woman, an 11-year-old boy and a 45-year-old man were killed. [3]
What to watch next: The American negotiators are expected in Kyiv on 6 September, with Putin planning to discuss all the modalities of a settlement in Ukraine with Witkoff and Kushner.
