A Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service in central Kyiv on Friday, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. The attack came just before U.S. officials were expected to hold discussions aimed at finding a way to end the war.
The fighting between Russia and Ukraine has intensified as the conflict approaches its fifth year following Russia’s invasion. In recent months, Russia has increasingly deployed high-speed, jet-powered drones, while air-raid alarms have become a regular feature of life in Kyiv.
The Security Service of Ukraine, or SBU, is located near the historic St. Sophia Cathedral and several international hotels. The agency is also involved in long-range operations against targets inside Russia. Local officials said Friday’s attack injured 12 people.
Zelenskyy said the drone had intentionally been directed at the SBU headquarters. He added in a Telegram message that acting security chief Oleksandr Poklad had presented him with possible plans for Ukraine’s response, including potential targets.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha described the attack as a serious escalation, particularly because it occurred while diplomatic efforts appeared to be gaining momentum. He argued that the timing showed Moscow was not genuinely committed to negotiations.
U.S. Representatives Expected in Moscow and Kyiv
U.S. President Donald Trump said Friday that his envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner would travel to Moscow before heading to Kyiv over the weekend and early next week. Washington has not announced the exact schedule for their visits.
Trump said the two officials would carry a proposal aimed at bringing the war to an end.
The planned trip would mark their first visit to Kyiv. Previous U.S. attempts to broker a settlement have not yet resulted in a clear route toward peace.
Zelenskyy said he expected Witkoff and Kushner to arrive in Kyiv on Sunday following their planned visit to Moscow. He said Ukraine would suspend airstrikes during the negotiations and urged Russia to do the same so that the discussions could take place safely.
Zelenskyy also said Ukraine would ensure that Russian airspace remained safe for the American negotiators traveling to the talks, stressing that Ukraine was concerned about the safety of the visitors rather than Russia itself.
Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov declined to confirm reports that Witkoff and Kushner would meet Russian officials in Moscow. He said the media would be notified if such a meeting actually occurred.
The two American envoys last traveled to Moscow in January, when they met President Vladimir Putin. Following that meeting, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov characterized the discussions as productive but warned that a lasting agreement would not be possible without resolving the issue of territory.
Subsequent negotiations have slowed, while the White House has also been preoccupied with its confrontation with Iran.
Deadly Russian Attacks Across Ukraine
The diplomatic developments came as Russia carried out what regional officials described as a massive overnight assault on the Odesa region. Oleh Kiper, the regional governor, said one person was killed and at least five others, including a child, were injured. Several residential structures were damaged, including two apartment buildings.
Elsewhere, overnight Russian attacks killed two police officers in the city of Dnipro. In Kyiv, another drone attack struck a residential building and injured three people.
Russian forces have repeatedly targeted populated areas across Ukraine. While such strikes were previously concentrated mainly at night, attacks are increasingly occurring during daylight hours. Meanwhile, fighting along the front lines in eastern and southern Ukraine remains largely stalled, with neither side achieving a decisive breakthrough.
Ukrainian Drones Strike Russian Oil Facilities
Meanwhile, Russian authorities reported a major Ukrainian drone attack on the Black Sea resort of Sochi and the neighboring Sirius district. Regional officials said the attack caused a fire at an oil storage facility but provided few additional details. Russian media reported that two oil depots were affected, one in Sochi and another in Sirius.
Ukraine has frequently attacked Russian oil infrastructure, which plays a crucial role in the economy of one of the world's largest energy-producing countries. Repeated Ukrainian attacks on refineries and other important facilities have increased economic strain and public frustration in Russia, while causing disruptions in various parts of the country.
In response to the attacks, Putin issued a decree last month allowing the government to temporarily take control of critical infrastructure when private operators fail to adequately protect facilities from Ukrainian drone attacks or fail to restore damaged sites. Analysts believe the measure is intended to pressure companies to finance stronger security measures and repair damaged infrastructure despite the high costs involved.
Drone Found on Finnish Shore
Finnish authorities are also investigating how a Russian-made drone came to rest on a rocky shoreline in the Pellinge archipelago, east of Helsinki.
Finland's Border Guard said the object appears to be a Geoscan 701, a drone produced by a Russian manufacturer. Officials cautioned that the aircraft is used by both government agencies and civilian organizations, making it impossible at this stage to determine who operated it or what its purpose was.
Finnish public broadcaster Yle reported that a fisherman discovered the drone on Tuesday.
Geoscan identifies itself as one of Russia's major drone manufacturers and says the Geoscan 701 is intended for large-scale aerial surveying and mapping.