A Russian drone strike targeted the Kyiv SBU headquarters on Friday afternoon. This attack directly hit the central offices of Ukraine’s top counterintelligence agency. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the significant incident.
The drone specifically struck the office of Oleksandr Poklad. He serves as the acting head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU). Notably, Mr. Poklad was not present in his office at the time of the impact.
Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko separately reported casualties. Nine people suffered injuries following the drone strike. Furthermore, a fire erupted in a non-residential building in the Shevchenkivskyi district, where the SBU headquarters are situated.
Following the attack, President Zelenskyy spoke with Mr. Poklad. He then tasked the acting SBU chief with a critical assignment. Mr. Poklad must now prepare an “adequate and tangible” response, ideally “mirroring” Friday’s assault.
The SBU plays a pivotal role in Ukraine’s long-range strike campaigns against Russia. Alongside military intelligence, it has been involved in attacks on Russian oil infrastructure. Moreover, the agency targets Russia’s “shadow fleet” in its ongoing efforts.
Oleksandr Poklad has led the SBU as acting chief since assuming his role. He has consistently advocated for deep strikes inside Russia. Additionally, he champions internal reforms, including a recent initiative to vet Ukrainian security agencies for Russian spies.
This incident comes amid escalating tensions. Suspected Russian attacks frequently target facilities linked to military production. These sites often provide crucial support for Ukraine’s defense efforts.