In brief
On 8 September 2026, a Russian drone struck the Ukrainian television channel "We Are Ukraine" in Kyiv, destroying part of its headquarters and killing five people. President Volodymyr Zelensky described the incident as a "new page in Russian degradation" and urged international support to halt further aggression. The attack came amid a wave of missile and drone strikes that has increased air‑raid alerts in Kyiv to record highs. Ukrainian authorities have confirmed additional casualties in overnight raids, while Russia has denied responsibility for the targeted strike. The incident underscores the escalating tensions between Russia and Ukraine and the risks faced by journalists amid the conflict.
On 8 September 2026 a Russian‑piloted drone struck the headquarters of the Ukrainian television channel "We Are Ukraine" in the city of Kyiv, partially collapsing the building and killing five people who were working inside when the strike occurred. The attack was captured on video, broadcast live, and subsequently shared by the channel and by President Volodymyr Zelensky, who called it a “new page in Russian degradation” and urged European, American, and global partners to help stop further attacks.
The strike happened as a broader series of Russian missile and drone raids intensified night‑and‑day over the Ukrainian capital. Earlier that day, the Ukrainian state emergency service reported that overnight explosions had killed three more people and injured 25 others, with residential buildings and vehicles in several districts – including the Solomianskyi and Podilskyi districts – suffering significant damage. Residents seek refuge in metro stations, a routine measure during the ongoing war.
Zelensky’s comments come after brief diplomatic talks between U.S. envoys representing President Donald Trump and Russian officials in Moscow and Kyiv; the talks concluded without major breakthroughs, but the Ukrainian leader expects the conflict to continue into winter.
The "We Are Ukraine" channel released footage showing the moment the drone struck its newsroom, confirming that the strike was intentional and targeted journalists. A BBC investigation later verified damage to the newsroom and noted that the live broadcast was interrupted by the attack.
As air raid alerts in Kyiv reach record highs, analysts say the pattern of strikes points to an escalation in the Russian strategy to pressure Ukraine. The ongoing situation underscores the high risk to media personnel and civilians in conflict zones.
