ONE WOMAN WAS killed and three people wounded in a Russian drone strike that triggered a fire inside Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences in central Kyiv on Monday, authorities said.

Videos shared on social media showed people leaning out of windows for fresh air as thick black smoke and bright orange flames engulfed part of the historic building.

The National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine is one of our country’s central institutions of scientific research, bringing together generations of Ukrainian researchers. Today, its building in the heart of Kyiv was hit by a Russian strike. A rescue operation is ongoing.

Russia… pic.twitter.com/PZftUUlDdZ

— MFA of Ukraine 🇺🇦 (@MFA_Ukraine) September 28, 2026

The site is in the very centre of Kyiv – usually well protected from Russian attacks – close to the German embassy, a famed cathedral, the national opera and government buildings.

The Ukrainian air force had earlier issued an alert for Kyiv, warning of “drones moving toward the city”.

“One woman was killed. Three people were wounded. Medics have taken them to the hospital,” said Kyiv mayor Vitali Klitschko.

“A rescue operation is underway: crews are putting out the fire and searching for people who may have been trapped inside,” added Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.

A business centre in the eastern city of Dnipro was also hit, he said.

“Sadly, people have been killed,” Zelenskyy said, without giving more details on the casualties.

A Russian strike against the building of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine. A rescue operation is underway: crews are putting out the fire and searching for people who may have been trapped inside. All services are deployed. Today in Kyiv, a pharmaceutical company and… pic.twitter.com/ccfIHnGFNg

— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) September 28, 2026

Moscow has been pounding Kyiv with drone and missile attacks for months, with intensifying strikes bringing the city to a standstill as air raid sirens blast out multiple times a day.

Cultural sites, government buildings and schools have all been targeted in the attacks, Ukraine says.

Earlier this month, a Russian drone struck the headquarters of Ukraine’s SBU security services.

In recent months, Russia has been deploying newer jet-powered drones that move faster and are harder to intercept than the traditional models, based on Iranian Shahed drones.