Russian Drone Strike Hits Kyiv Intelligence HQ Before US Envoy Visit

A Russian drone strike hit the headquarters of Ukraine's internal intelligence service in Kyiv on the eve of a diplomatic mission by US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, wounding nine people and damaging the UNESCO-listed Saint Sophia Cathedral. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the attack, which targeted the office of SBU chief Oleksandr Poklad, and vowed a "proportionate" response. Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said the strike proves Moscow rejects diplomacy, as it came amid renewed peace efforts. The strike complicates the US envoys' planned visits to Moscow and Kyiv, with Russia ruling out security agreements for the trip. Meanwhile, cross-border drone attacks continue, including Ukrainian strikes on Sochi and Russian attacks on Odessa and Kherson.