Russian drone strike hits Kyiv intelligence HQ as Zelenskyy proposes ceasefire for US envoys' visit

A Russian drone attack struck the head office of Ukraine's SBU intelligence agency in central Kyiv, sending plumes of black smoke over the city, with President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirming the strike and vowing an "appropriate, tangible response." The attack occurred Friday, just before Zelenskyy proposed a temporary ceasefire for the weekend to ensure safe passage for US envoys Jared Kushner and Steve Witkoff, who are scheduled to hold talks in Moscow on Saturday and Kyiv on Sunday. The SBU building sits opposite St Sophia Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the strike follows over a week of daily Russian drone and missile attacks on Kyiv. Ukraine faces a critical shortage of US-made Patriot interceptors, and recent Russian strikes have used new jet-powered drones reaching 250mph, making them difficult to shoot down. Zelenskyy said Kyiv's priority is ensuring the safety of the American representatives, adding that Ukraine seeks "real options" to end the war, now in its fourth year.