Automatically translated version. May contain inaccuracies compared to the original.
Rescuers extinguish a fire in the SBU building in Kyiv after an attack by a Russian drone 4 September 2026. Photo: Gleb Garanich/Reuters
By striking the SBU building 4 September, the Russians did not aim to provoke confrontation between state institutions in Ukraine. The shelling took place before the visit of U.S. representatives Whitkoff and Kushner to Kyiv. In this way the Kremlin wanted to show the Americans that there are no safe places in Ukraine — even facilities that should be under reliable protection can be hit.
This was reported on the air of Vechir.LIVE on Saturday, 5 September, by Candidate of Sciences in Public Administration and head of the Center for the Development of State Strategy and Public Policy, Illia Kotov.
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Why Russia struck the SBU building
Kotov suggested that there had previously been a tacit agreement between the parties: not to hit state institutions in order to avoid escalation. The strike on the SBU building is primarily related to the visit of American officials.
Today, 5 September, Zhuliany airport came under attack, although for a long time there had been no strikes on the capital’s airports or those in the Kyiv region. In the expert’s view, it is no coincidence that the Verkhovna Rada is being urged now, rather than a year or two ago, to hold votes in a shelter.
“Apparently, a tacit agreement existed before. Today’s strike showed that this page can be turned. There is no building in Kyiv, governmental or non-governmental, that is safe,” the expert concluded.
Earlier, Novyny.LIVE, citing President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky, reported that 4 September a Russian drone hit the central SBU building on Volodymyrska Street. The enemy directed the drone at the office of SBU head Oleksandr Poklad. The head of state emphasized that the Russians will receive a response to this attack.
Novyny.LIVE also, citing Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, wrote that Moscow is trying to derail the peace process. That is why Russian forces struck the SBU building in Kyiv and the airport in Zhuliany. Instead of peace, Russia chooses escalation.
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