Sybiha calls strike on SBU building a serious escalation of the war

A Russian drone strike on the central building of the Security Service of Ukraine in Kyiv is a serious escalation of the war and demonstrates Moscow's rejection of diplomacy, Ukraine's Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

The foreign minister noted that the attack occurred at a time when new attempts are being made to intensify the diplomatic process and achieve an end to the Russian-Ukrainian war.

According to Sybiha, Russia's actions show its real attitude toward these efforts. He called on international partners to give an unequivocal assessment of what happened and to increase pressure on Moscow.

Drone targeted the SBU chief's office

A Russian drone on Friday, September 4, struck the central SBU building on Volodymyrska Street in Kyiv. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the drone was aimed directly at the office of the acting head of the Security Service, Oleksandr Poklad.

Poklad himself was not in the office at the time of the strike. After the impact, a fire broke out in the building, and emergency services arrived at the scene.

Zelenskyy said that after the attack he spoke with the SBU chief and instructed him to prepare a response to Russia.

"I gave Poklad the task to respond to the Russians adequately, tangibly, and, if possible, in a mirror-like manner to this strike, when everything is prepared. Our military will support this response," — the president said.

Before Zelenskyy's confirmation, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported a fire in the Shevchenkivskyi district after a drone hit the roof of a non-residential building. Witnesses heard an explosion at around 3:30 p.m., after which thick smoke rose over the central part of the capital.

Strike occurred amid attempts to resume talks

Sybiha's statement came amid preparations for a new round of diplomatic contacts involving the United States. President Donald Trump's special envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner plan to hold talks in Moscow and Kyiv on a possible end to the war.

Thus, Kyiv views the attack on the building of one of Ukraine's key special services not only as a military episode but also as a signal amid renewed diplomatic efforts. It is precisely with this that Sybiha linked his assertion that Moscow is in fact rejecting the diplomatic path.

This is the assessment of the Ukrainian foreign minister. The Russian side at the time of his statement did not publicly explain the purpose of the strike on the SBU building.

Based on materials from: Andrii Sybiha, Volodymyr Zelenskyy