Russia strikes SBU building in Kyiv, Ukraine vows retaliation

On Friday, September 4, Russia struck the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) building in Kyiv with a drone, targeting the office of its acting head, Oleksandr Poklad. The attack injured 15 people and caused significant damage, marking a serious escalation. President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the target and ordered a "mirror" response. The strike occurred as diplomatic efforts were resuming, and Ukrainian officials have vowed a painful retaliation, though experts say a direct strike on Moscow's FSB headquarters is unlikely due to dense air defenses. The attack's precision has raised questions about Russian drone capabilities, with experts noting the use of jet-powered drones presents new challenges for Ukrainian air defense. Ukraine is developing countermeasures, including interceptor drones and smart missiles, while considering strikes on Russian military assets and air hubs as a response.