A Russian drone struck Ukraine’s SBU headquarters in central Kyiv as President Volodymyr Zelenskyy proposed a temporary halt to airstrikes ahead of US envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner’s peace mission.

SBU Headquarters Hit

Russia struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s Security Service, or SBU, in central Kyiv on Friday, September 4, in one of the most prominent attacks on a Ukrainian government security facility since the war began.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the Russian drone directly targeted the central SBU building on Volodymyrska Street, opposite the historic St Sophia Cathedral. The attack sent thick black smoke over central Kyiv and brought emergency crews and armed security personnel to the area.

Reuters reported that five people were injured in the strike. Kyiv authorities also confirmed casualties following the attack.

Zelenskyy Orders Response

Zelenskyy said he had spoken with SBU leadership and ordered an “appropriate, tangible response” to the attack.

The Ukrainian foreign minister, Andrii Sybiha, described the strike as a major escalation. The location of the attack also raised concern because the SBU headquarters stands close to St Sophia Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

The strike came amid intensified Russian attacks on Kyiv. Ukrainian officials have warned that Russia has increasingly used fast, jet-powered drones that are more difficult for air-defence systems to intercept.

Temporary Ceasefire Offer

Despite the escalation, Zelenskyy proposed a temporary halt to airstrikes during the planned visit of senior US envoys.

He said Ukraine would not carry out airstrikes during the period required for the diplomatic meetings and urged Russia to reciprocate. The proposal was aimed at creating safer conditions for the US delegation and allowing discussions to proceed without fresh attacks.

Ukraine has also reportedly ordered its forces to observe a temporary “silence regime” along the front from September 5 through September 8, according to Ukrainian media reports citing military and security sources.

Witkoff, Kushner Visit

US President Donald Trump has sent Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and his son-in-law Jared Kushner to pursue a fresh diplomatic effort aimed at ending the Russia-Ukraine war.

Zelenskyy confirmed that the two envoys are expected to travel to Moscow before heading to Kyiv on Sunday, September 6. The US delegation is carrying what Trump has described as a concrete proposal for peace, although details have not been publicly disclosed.

The visit comes after earlier diplomatic efforts failed to produce a lasting settlement. The war, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022, has now entered its fifth year.

Kyiv Faces Air Threats

The SBU strike highlights the growing pressure on Ukraine’s air-defence network as Russian attacks continue against Kyiv and other parts of the country.

Associated Press reported that Russian forces have increasingly launched attacks during daylight as well as at night, with fast-flying drones adding to the strain on Ukraine’s defences.

Ukraine has repeatedly sought additional air-defence capabilities from its Western partners, particularly systems capable of intercepting sophisticated missiles and drones.

Diplomacy Meets Escalation

The timing of the SBU attack has added uncertainty to the latest US diplomatic initiative. Washington is attempting to restart negotiations at a time when military activity remains intense and trust between Moscow and Kyiv remains extremely low.

Trump said his administration believes there is a chance to make progress, while Reuters reported that Western intelligence officials remain sceptical about Russia’s willingness to accept a short-term settlement.

For Kyiv, the immediate priority is to protect its population and critical institutions while keeping the diplomatic channel open. Zelenskyy has made clear that Ukraine is prepared to pause airstrikes if Russia takes reciprocal steps.

What Happens Next

The next major test will be whether Russia accepts or observes the proposed temporary halt during the US envoys’ mission.

Witkoff and Kushner are expected in Moscow before travelling to Kyiv, where they will discuss the prospects for ending the war. Their meetings could provide a fresh opening for negotiations, but the latest Russia-Ukraine war escalation shows how fragile any ceasefire arrangement remains.

For now, Kyiv faces the dual challenge of responding to a direct strike on its security apparatus while keeping the door open to renewed diplomacy.