Russian Drones Strike Kyiv Region Overnight, Injuring Two Despite Reported Ceasefire
Overnight Attacks Hit Kyiv Region
Russia attacked Ukraine's capital and Kyiv Oblast again on the night of Sept. 4-5, damaging a residential building and injuring at least two people, authorities reported [1]. The attacks continued after midnight on Sept. 5 despite the beginning of a reported ceasefire during the visit of U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner [1]. Waves of jet-powered drones targeted the city of Kyiv and the surrounding region overnight [1]. In Boryspil, just 29 kilometers east of Kyiv, two women were injured in the attack, according to Kyiv City Administration Head Tymur Tkachenko [1]. Both victims have been hospitalized [1]. During the attack in Boryspil, the roof and top floor of a nine-story residential building were damaged and set ablaze, Kyiv Oblast's Military Administration reported [1]. An explosion was also heard in Kyiv's city center late on Sept. 4, Kyiv Independent Deputy Chief Editor Toma Istomina reported [1]. 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 region's Boryspil district [1]. Sirens blared again in Kyiv and the surrounding region at around 2 a.m., and attacks continued into the night [1]. The Air Force issued its latest warning to Kyiv at around 3:30 a.m. local time [1]. Meanwhile, Russian drones and glide bombs have targeted front-line regions as well as the cities of Poltava, Dnipro, and Odesa, among others [1].
SBU Headquarters Struck in Rare Attack
During the day on Sept. 4, a Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) opposite St. Sophia's Cathedral in central Kyiv, injuring at least 12 people, local authorities said [1]. A Russian drone hit the SBU headquarters in central Kyiv, wounding at least 12 in a rare strike on a heavily fortified government building [5]. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the drone was aimed directly at the SBU head's personal office [5]. Zelenskyy said he had instructed the SBU to deliver an appropriate, tangible response [5]. It was the first time the powerful security agency's headquarters had been hit since the start of Russia's invasion in 2022 [5]. The acting head of the SBU, Oleksandr Poklad, was not there, a senior official told AFP on condition of anonymity [5]. Poklad was unharmed, the SBU said in a statement, adding that the building would certainly be restored [5]. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said at least 12 people had been wounded, without giving details on whether the casualties were in the SBU building [5]. An image published by the Ukrainska Pravda news outlet showed what appeared to be black smoke pouring from at least two windows on the front of the SBU building, while a fire engine was parked outside [5]. An AFP reporter saw several ambulances nearby [5]. Attacks on government buildings in central Kyiv, which are heavily fortified and ring-fenced by security barricades, are rare [5].
Ukrainian Leadership Vows Retaliation
Zelenskyy has announced reprisals, signaling that Poklad has orders to give a response adequate and tangible to the Russians [2]. In the same line, the minister of foreign affairs of Ukraine, Andriy Sybiga, has pointed out that the attack represents a major escalation of the conflict that demands resolute responses [2]. Moscow launches this attack during a renewed push for peace, which exposes its true rejection of diplomacy, the head of Ukrainian diplomacy stressed, who has asked that international partners condemn these actions without ambiguity and increase pressure on Moscow [2]. Zelenskyy called the SBU strike a major escalation and ordered a tangible reciprocal response [5]. Foreign Minister Sybiga said it showed Moscow's rejection of diplomacy amid renewed peace efforts [5].
Context of Ceasefire Proposal and U.S. Talks
The attacks continued after midnight on Sept. 5 despite the beginning of a reported ceasefire during the visit of U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner [1]. U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, U.S. President Donald Trump's lead negotiators on ending the Ukraine war, are expected to travel to Moscow and Kyiv this weekend for peace talks, according to Ukrainian officials [5]. The pair have visited Moscow on several occasions, but have not yet travelled to Kyiv [5]. A senior Ukrainian official told AFP they would visit Kyiv on Sunday [5]. Later Friday, U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed the news, adding they are bringing with them a proposal to end the war and have an idea for peace [5]. Zelenskyy proposed observing a ceasefire with Russia for the duration of their trips [5]. There will be no airstrikes on our part, and Russia must reciprocally ensure a ceasefire, without its own airstrikes, for the duration needed to conduct these talks, he said in his evening address [5]. There was no immediate comment from Russia on the proposal [5].
Broader Pattern of Russian Strikes
The strikes on Kyiv are the latest salvos in Russia's nine-day assault on Ukraine's capital [1]. The relentless barrage has killed over 50 people, injured around 100, and imposed over a week of terror on the people of Kyiv [1]. Russian President Vladimir Putin has intensified missile and drone attacks on Ukraine in an effort to force Kyiv into surrendering territory as soon as this winter, taking advantage of air defenses worn thin by months of bombardment [3]. Both Russia and Ukraine have intensified long-range strikes in recent months [5]. Kyiv has been denouncing a military escalation in the conflict, with Russia's declared intention of maintaining what it considers an advantage in the war before sitting down to negotiate the end of hostilities [2]. Ukrainian forces have increased their drone attacks in recent weeks in an attempt to make the consequences of the war felt in Russia itself [2].
What to watch next: U.S. negotiators Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are expected to travel to Kyiv on Sunday for peace talks amid the ongoing strikes, with Trump confirming they bring a proposal to end the war.
