Russia hits major Ukrainian government building in heart of Kyiv

A Russian drone has directly struck the headquarters of Ukraine's Security Service in central Kyiv, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday.

According to CNN, the attack on the SBU headquarters, one of Ukraine's most important government buildings, injured five people, according to authorities as emergency crews were sent to the scene.

The strike follows days of sustained Russian aerial attacks on the Ukrainian capital. Kyiv has faced eight consecutive days of attacks, with strikes hitting buildings in the city centre as well as factories and warehouses in surrounding areas.

At least 53 people have been killed and 134 injured across Kyiv and the wider region since the latest wave of attacks began last month.

The direct strike on the SBU headquarters represents a significant escalation as Ukraine struggles with shortages of interceptor missiles needed to defend against Russian aerial attacks.

The Security Service building is located in the historic centre of Kyiv, close to several major cultural landmarks.

It sits across the street from Saint Sophia Cathedral, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and is also near the Golden Gate and Ukraine's National Opera.