Ukraine says Russian attack on security service headquarters 'major escalation'

Kyiv: The Russian attack on the headquarters of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) is a "major escalation that demands resolute responses," Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Sybiha said.

"Moscow launched this strike during a renewed push for peace -- laying bare its true rejection of diplomacy," Sybiha wrote on X on Friday (local time).

He called on Ukraine's partners to condemn the attack and step up pressure on Russia.

Earlier on Friday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said that a Russian drone struck the SSU building in central Kyiv, aiming "directly" at the office of SSU deputy director Oleksandr Poklad, reports Xinhua news agency.

Meanwhile, Russian authorities said on Thursday that Ukrainian forces launched hundreds of drone and artillery attacks on the Belgorod and Moscow regions, killing one civilian and injuring 21 others.

Belgorod acting Governor Alexander Shuvayev said the region came under 178 attacks over the past 24 hours, including artillery strikes and drone attacks that left one dead.

Additionally, Moscow Mayor Sergey Sobyanin said Russian air defences downed 548 drones targeting the Moscow region between Wednesday morning and Thursday noon.

A drone strike also sparked a fire at a plant in the Moscow region's Bogorodsky district, regional Governor Andrei Vorobyov said, adding that emergency crews were working at the site.

Earlier this week, Russian President Vladimir Putin said negotiations on Ukraine had stalled. He also dismissed reports that Russia would launch a new round of mobilisation after the State Duma election as "nonsense".

He said Russia supports negotiations based on concrete substance and would welcome any efforts that could make a practical contribution to ending the conflict.

Putin said Russia hopes to achieve a lasting and comprehensive peace in Ukraine and across Europe, adding that Moscow is ready to negotiate with anyone willing to participate. Russia respects the positions of countries that support a peaceful resolution to the conflict.

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