Russian drone strike hits Ukraine's security service headquarters in Kyiv

A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) in Kyiv on Friday, sending black smoke pouring from the building's windows. Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko said five people were injured in the attack, though it was not made clear whether they were inside the building.

A nearby café was also damaged, with one customer taken to hospital. Stanislav Zavertaylo, co-owner of the Zavertailo café chain, told the BBC this was the third of his cafés damaged since Russia's full-scale invasion began, describing broken windows, scattered glass and debris throughout the premises.

President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Telegram that emergency services were at the scene and that everyone affected would receive assistance. He said he had ordered officials to prepare a proportionate response that would, where possible, mirror the strike, with Ukraine's military backing the action.

Foreign Minister Andriy Sybiha called the strike a major escalation demanding a resolute response, adding that Moscow had launched it during renewed diplomatic efforts to end the war, exposing what he described as Russia's true rejection of negotiations.

Russia's defence ministry separately said it had struck a cargo vessel in the Ukrainian port of Chornomorsk and a tanker near Odesa on Friday. In recent weeks Russia has intensified daytime strikes on Ukrainian targets, increasingly using jet-powered drones that are faster and harder to intercept; it is not yet known what munition was used in the SBU attack.

The strike is a rare instance of Russia successfully hitting a Ukrainian government building, as previous attempts have largely failed to breach the country's defences. The SBU headquarters, located across the road from Kyiv's St Sophia Cathedral, plays a central role in Ukraine's war effort, including deep strikes on Russian infrastructure.

Despite the ongoing exchange of strikes, US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are due to visit both Russia and Ukraine this weekend as part of continued efforts to broker a peace deal. They are expected to meet Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow on Saturday before holding talks with Zelensky in Kyiv on Sunday.