On 28 September 2026, Russia launched a multi-wheel drone attack on the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, one of which directly hit the building of the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences in the centre of the city, killing at least two scientists and injuring many others. At the same time, President Zelensky of Ukraine announced that the national attack on that day had resulted in at least nine deaths and more than 80 injuries. This was one of the most sustained and violent drone attacks in the centre of Kyiv since the beginning of the war, with the historic building of the Academy of Sciences on fire and the scene of debris and damaged vehicles.
During the day, Russia used new types of weapons known as “jet drones”. Unlike the Shahid drone, which was driven by a propeller that was extensively used during the previous war, this jet boosted the drone flight at a faster rate and enhanced its blast capability. According to numerous media reports, Russia has carried out extensive drone strikes in various regions of Ukraine, with Kiev as one of the priority targets.
In Kiev, the attack took place in the building of the Academy of Sciences. The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine was established in 1918 as the State-level scientific research institute at the central level of the country, with research institutes and branches in various fields, including physics, medicine and history, where a large number of researchers and administrators gather on a daily basis. At the time of the attack, there was a fire inside the building, fire came out of the open interior, ruins were scattered in the courtyard, some of which were buried in a car. Fire department and first aid personnel quickly arrived at the scene and conducted fire and rescue operations. As search-and-rescue efforts advanced, there were later reports that one of the victims had been found under rubble.
With regard to the exact number of casualties, there is a slight difference in the information provided at different stages. According to the Mayor of Kyiv, a total of 24 people were injured in several attacks in the town of Kiev, six of whom were being treated in hospitals. President Zelensky of Ukraine initially reported in social media that the attack on the Academy building had killed one person and injured six others, including three children. Subsequently, Zelensky updated national casualty data, stating that Russian drone attacks had resulted in at least 9 deaths and more than 80 injuries throughout the country on the same day. The media, such as Reuters, quoted Ukrainian officials and also mentioned that at least seven people had died nationwide, including a woman who had been killed at the Kiev Academy of Sciences.
In addition to the Academy building, other civilian installations in Kyiv were attacked. There were also reports of drone attacks on the Dobrobot College building in the Shevchenkovsky district, injuring at least 19 people, including 3 children. In addition, Zelensky stated that Russia had also attacked a medical facility in the centre of Kyiv, several gas stations and a pharmaceutical company, and that firefighters were working to extinguish fires in medical facilities. Outside Kyiv, a commercial centre in the city of Denispur was also attacked, as were civilian facilities, commercial buildings and communications infrastructure in other cities and areas.
The attack aroused widespread concern not only because of casualties but also because of the nature of the target. The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, which is the core body for scientific research in the country, has for many years undertaken basic and applied research at the national level. Following the attack, the former Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine, Holblin, was injured and his assistant was unfortunately killed, as reported by the Ukrainian news agency. The destruction of the Academy building meant that a large number of researchers, administrators and ongoing research projects were directly affected.
Ukrainian officials strongly condemned the attack. The Ukrainian State Commissioner for Language Protection, Kremin, stated that Russia had been trying to destroy Ukrainian scientists for centuries, to erase the Ukrainian language ' s presence in the scientific field and to deny Ukraine ' s independence. He saw the attack as a continuation of that long-term attempt. The Minister for Foreign Affairs of Ukraine, Sibiha, warned that Russia was deliberately expanding its so-called “comprehensive boundaries of the world” to explore the bottom line of international support for Ukraine. In social media, President Zelensky called on partners to view such terrorist attacks as a test of Ukraine ' s support and stressed the need not to remain silent about attacks against civilian and scientific facilities.
From the scientific perspective, the attack not only resulted in casualties, but could also have long-term implications for Ukraine ' s scientific research capacity. Several institutes of the National Academy of Sciences are located in the building complex in the fields of physics, medicine, nuclear research and theoretical physics. The damage to the historic main building meant that some scientific equipment, archives and ongoing experimental projects could be lost. For researchers and administrators working at the agency, the attack directly threatens their lives and may force some of their research activities to be interrupted or diverted.
The events of that day were generally as follows: between morning and day, Russia launched drone attacks on several regions of Ukraine and the town of Kyiv became a priority target. The building of the Academy was hit in the first place, setting fire and causing casualties. Immediately thereafter, attacks were reported in other parts of Kyiv, including the Dobroubt College building, medical facilities, petrol stations and pharmaceutical companies. President Zelensky published initial casualty reports and nation-wide casualty data in social media. At the same time, fire and first aid workers were operating at various sites, the fire in the Academy building was contained and the search for debris continued. Later, the emergency services confirmed that one of the victims had been found under the ruins of the Academy building.
The attack was followed by a continuous response at the top of the Ukrainian Government. President Zelensky stressed that the Russian attack had not only targeted military targets but had also clearly affected civilian installations, medical facilities, scientific institutions and commercial buildings. He noted that the attacks covered several districts in Kiev, as well as other cities such as Denipur. The Mayor of Krechko, for his part, provided specific information on the number of injuries and hospitalizations in the town of Kiev. Officials in the field of diplomacy and language and culture condemned and warned of the attacks from the perspective of national identity and international support.
At the same time, the European side condemned the attack. There have been reports of strong protests by multiple European countries against Russian attacks on civilian installations in Kyiv, arguing that science should not be targeted. This response reflects the international community ' s concern about Russia ' s continuing civil and scientific infrastructure.
For the staff and researchers of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and its affiliated institutes, the next focus is on follow-up to search and rescue efforts, arrangements for the rehabilitation of damaged facilities and the final identification of casualties. The destruction of the Academy building, which serves as a historic building and research hub, may result in the temporary interruption of some research projects, as well as adjustments in the workplace and safety arrangements for scientists. For personnel working at the Academy of Sciences and its surroundings, the safety avoidance and emergency evacuation plan may require further implementation.
For the citizens of Kyiv, the attack indicated that even during the day, civilian installations in the city centre could be targeted by drones. The high-speed properties of jet drones may further reduce the length of warning and evasion. Citizens need to follow up on the latest circulars issued by the local government and the emergency services to understand the surroundings of the damaged facilities and to avoid travelling to areas still under search and rescue or fire suppression. Increased emergency preparedness and evacuation exercises may be necessary for users of civilian buildings such as medical facilities, schools and colleges.
For the international community and those concerned with the Ukrainian scientific community, the attack highlighted the vulnerability of Ukraine ' s scientific research infrastructure to war. The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine, as the centrepiece of the country ' s scientific research, may be damaged to affect Ukraine ' s long-term scientific research capacity. International partners and scientific research institutions may need to consider how to continue to support scientific research in Ukraine, while ensuring the safety of personnel, and to follow the progress of the rehabilitation of damaged facilities.
In the broader war posture, Russia's continuous attack on Kyiv using jet drones demonstrates the escalation of its methods of attack and the extensive targeting of civilian installations. Ukrainian officials have made it clear that this pattern of attack is widening Russia's so-called “tolerance boundaries”. Next, the Government of Ukraine may continue to inform international partners of the details of the attack and seek additional support for the protection of civilian and scientific facilities. At the same time, as search and rescue and damage assessments advance, more information on the final identification of casualties and specific damage to damaged facilities will be made public.
The central facts of this attack are clear: On 28 September 2026, Russian jet drones attacked the building of the Ukrainian National Academy of Sciences in Kyiv, killing at least two scientists and wounding several others; on the same day, Russia also carried out extensive attacks on civilian installations in Kiev and on civilian targets in other Ukrainian cities, killing at least 9 people and injuring more than 80 people throughout the country. The destruction of the building of the Academy of Sciences was not only an injury to persons but also a direct blow to the Ukrainian scientific system. Next, the affected persons and institutions need to pay attention to the progress of search and rescue, the arrangements for the rehabilitation of facilities and the safety and security of personnel, while the international community needs to pay attention to the follow-up of Ukraine ' s scientific infrastructure and the further development of the Russian attack pattern.