Ukraine–Russia

Russian drone strikes SBU headquarters on Volodymyrska Street in Kyiv, injuring at least 12

ATTACK
Location
SBU Central Directorate, Volodymyrska Street, Shevchenkivskyi district, Kyiv (opposite St. Sophia Cathedral; facility-level)
Actors
Russia · Ukraine
Importance
Major

On the afternoon of 4 September 2026 a Russian drone struck the central headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service (SBU) on Volodymyrska Street in Kyiv, opposite St. Sophia Cathedral. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the drone was aimed directly at the office of acting SBU head Oleksandr Poklad in that building; the SBU said Poklad was unharmed and that the attackers did not achieve their goal. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko and the Kyiv City Military Administration reported injuries in the Shevchenkivskyi district that rose to at least 12, with nine hospitalized and two in serious condition by late afternoon. The strike damaged the SBU building’s exterior wall, heavily damaged the nearby Zavertailo restaurant, and damaged historic buildings within the St. Sophia Cathedral National Sanctuary about 100 meters away; the cathedral itself was not hit. An air raid alert began around 15:00 local time, with explosions in the city center about half an hour later.

Why it matters

A daytime drone hit on the SBU’s central headquarters opposite a UNESCO World Heritage cathedral—described by Zelenskyy as aimed at the acting SBU chief’s office—marks a rare direct strike on Ukraine’s internal security leadership in the capital amid a multi-day aerial campaign against Kyiv.

  • Injuries: Best 12 · Confidence: Confirmed · Evidence: Russian strike on the office of SBU chief Poklad — condition of the security service chief, Russian drone strikes SBU headquarters in central Kyiv, injuring at least 12 · At least 12 injured in Shevchenkivskyi per Klitschko/KMDA (UNN / Kyiv Independent updated toll); nine hospitalized, two serious.

Verification: Confirmed

Evidence: Russian drone strikes SBU headquarters in central Kyiv, injuring at least 12, Zelenskyy: Russian drone hits SBU main building on Volodymyrska Street in Kyiv, with injuries reported, Russian strike on the office of SBU chief Poklad — condition of the security service chief

Strike on SBU central HQ on Volodymyrska opposite St. Sophia confirmed by Zelenskyy (via Interfax-Ukraine and Kyiv Independent) and by the SBU (Poklad unharmed). Injury toll of at least 12 in Shevchenkivskyi from Klitschko/KMDA via UNN and Kyiv Independent (updated from earlier 7). Collateral damage to Zavertailo restaurant and St. Sophia sanctuary buildings from sanctuary officials and restaurant owner via Kyiv Independent. Exact room-level impact unpublished beyond Zelenskyy/SBU description of Poklad’s office; street/facility point used.