Two Scientists Killed in Russian Strike on Ukraine’s National Academy of Sciences

The death toll from the September 28 Russian strike on the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine (NASU) in central Kyiv has risen to two scientists.

Several other staff members remain unaccounted for, according to updated reports from Ukrainian state institutions.

The Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine confirmed that the attack was a direct strike on its headquarters, where researchers and administrative staff gather daily.

“On September 28, 2026, a Russian strike hit directly on the building of the Presidium of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine in Kyiv—a place where scientists and Academy employees come to work every day,” NASU said in an official statement.

“There are dead. Contact has still not been established with some of our colleagues. We are waiting for news about them and hoping. This is Russian terror. Terror against peaceful civilians. Terror against Ukrainian science, education, and culture—against everything that Russia has for years tried to destroy in Ukraine,” the statement continued.

The Academy added that “there are no words that can justify this barbarism” as rescue operations continue at the site.

Ukraine’s State Language Protection Commissioner, Taras Kremin, confirmed the revised death toll, noting that at least two scientists were killed and several others wounded as fires swept through the facility. Kremin framed the attack as an intentional effort to erase Ukraine’s intellectual heritage.

Read more

Category

War in Ukraine

Putin Wants Ukraine to Capitulate by Spring 2027 Through Intensified Strikes, ISW Says

Sep 28, 2026 18:47

“This strike is another reminder that Russian aggression is aimed not only at our cities and people. The enemy is trying to destroy Ukrainian science, education, culture—everything that forms our national memory and the intellectual foundation of the state,” Kremin stated.

“For centuries, Russia tried to destroy Ukrainian scientists, erase the Ukrainian language from science, and deny our distinct identity. Today, it continues to do this with missiles and drones,” he continued.

Kremin emphasized that while physical infrastructure can be rebuilt, Ukraine’s intellectual foundation remains resilient against Moscow’s attacks.

“We must protect people and at the same time protect what they create: the Ukrainian word, science, culture, knowledge. Because this is also what Ukraine is fighting for today,” he concluded.

Emergency services remain on site, searching through the damaged structure as rescue teams work to locate missing Academy personnel.

A Russian attack on central Kyiv’s Shevchenkivskyi district the same day hit the Dobrobut Academy building, setting the upper floors of a Dobrobut medical center ablaze.

Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed the drone struck the seven-story administrative structure at the fourth-floor level during a broader citywide assault that injured at least 19 people—including three children—and prompted ongoing search-and-rescue operations.

Protect Ukrainian Skies

Subscribe to Sky Defense