A building belonging to Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences caught fire after a Russian drone strike in central Kyiv, killing at least two people and injuring others. A separate strike later hit a major medical education complex in the capital’s Shevchenkivskyi district.
By Open Chronicle with agencies | September 28, 2026
KYIV — At least two people were killed after a Russian drone struck a building belonging to Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv, setting the structure on fire as another wave of attacks hit the Ukrainian capital.
Local authorities said several people were also injured in the strike.
Videos posted on social media appeared to show people trapped inside the burning building immediately after the attack, with individuals attempting to escape through windows as flames and smoke spread through the structure.
The strike occurred in a sensitive area of central Kyiv, close to diplomatic, telecommunications and government buildings.
JUST IN – Russian drone hits National Academy of Sciences in Kyiv https://t.co/7hqWDTRki0 pic.twitter.com/F0hDnxksM1
— Insider Paper (@TheInsiderPaper) September 28, 2026
National Academy of Sciences building catches fire
The drone hit a building associated with Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences, triggering a major fire.
Emergency crews responded to the scene as authorities worked to evacuate the building and search for casualties.
At least two deaths were confirmed following the attack.
The full number of people inside the building when the drone struck was not immediately clear.
Footage circulating following the attack suggested the building was occupied at the moment of impact.
People could be seen attempting to leave the burning structure through windows as smoke poured from the building.
Several people injured
Local authorities confirmed that people had been injured in addition to those killed.
Emergency personnel continued working at the site as the extent of the damage was assessed.
The attack once again brought the consequences of Russia’s drone campaign into the centre of the Ukrainian capital, where civilians, government institutions and critical infrastructure remain vulnerable to long range strikes.
German Embassy nearby
The location of the strike is particularly sensitive because several important institutions are situated nearby.
The German Embassy building is approximately 300 metres from the National Academy of Sciences facility.
An office belonging to Ukrainian telecommunications company Ukrtelecom is also around 300 metres from the site.
There was no immediate indication in the information available that either facility had been directly hit.
The proximity of diplomatic and communications infrastructure nevertheless highlights the potential consequences of drone strikes in densely developed areas of central Kyiv.
Second strike hits medical education complex
Russian forces subsequently carried out another strike in Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district.
A drone hit Dobrobut Academy, a large medical education complex in the Ukrainian capital.
The strike expanded the scope of the attacks beyond the National Academy of Sciences facility and brought another civilian institution into the affected area.
The extent of casualties or damage at Dobrobut Academy was not immediately detailed in the available information.
Constitutional Court located directly opposite academy
Ukraine’s Constitutional Court is located directly across from Dobrobut Academy.
The proximity of the court building adds to concerns surrounding the concentration of significant civilian and state institutions in the areas affected by the attacks.
There was no immediate indication that the Constitutional Court itself had been struck.
The latest attacks demonstrate the danger posed when drones reach densely populated parts of Kyiv, where government offices, educational institutions, diplomatic facilities, businesses and residential buildings can be located within relatively short distances of one another.
Kyiv faces another deadly drone attack
The strikes come as Ukraine continues to face Russian drone attacks against the capital and other cities.
For Kyiv residents, the latest attack again brought the war directly into the heart of the city.
The destruction at the National Academy of Sciences building was particularly dramatic because people were reportedly still inside as fire spread following the impact.
Emergency teams continued responding to the consequences of the strikes as authorities worked to establish the full casualty toll and assess damage at the affected locations.
With at least two people confirmed dead and others injured, the attack has added another deadly episode to the continuing Russian aerial campaign against Ukraine.