On the day of September 4, 2026, as a result of a Russian drone attack on Kyiv, one of the city's well-known venues sustained serious damage — the 'Zavertailo near Sophia' bakery at 24a Volodymyrska Street, located in the immediate vicinity of Saint Sophia's Cathedral. This was reported by co-owner of the chain Stanislav Zavertailo in his Telegram channel, citing his own observations. According to him, at the time of posting the message he was on his way to the scene to personally assess the circumstances and the scale of the destruction. The photographs published in his channel show damage to the facade and the interior of the venue, which, according to the owner's preliminary assessment, are consistent with the effects of a shock wave.

Nature of the damage and circumstances of the attack

The 'Zavertailo near Sophia' location, which opened in April 2023 and combines the formats of a bakery, café, and restaurant, is situated in the historic center of Kyiv, within walking distance of Saint Sophia's Cathedral and the Golden Gate. In his message, Stanislav Zavertailo noted that the damage appears to have been caused by the shock wave from an explosion. He emphasized that at the time of the attack, the venue's staff and guests were in the basement, which, most likely, spared them from more serious consequences. At the time of the first posts, the owner himself did not specify whether any staff members or visitors had been injured, limiting himself to stating that he was heading to the scene to clarify all the circumstances.

Casualties: data from the owner and the mayor

Some time after the first reports, Stanislav Zavertailo clarified that one person was injured as a result of the attack and was taken to a hospital. 'It looks like the effects of a shock wave, no bleeding or visible injuries; in any case, the doctors are providing assistance. The team is all safe and unharmed, but everyone will still need to be checked again,' he wrote. Thus, according to the direct owner of the venue, there are no fatalities among the staff or guests; one person sustained minor injuries consistent with the effects of a shock wave.

Contradictory data

Meanwhile, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko reported that five people were injured as a result of the attack in the Shevchenkivskyi district, four of whom were hospitalized. At first glance, this figure conflicts with Stanislav Zavertailo's statement about one injured person. However, it is important to consider the difference in scale: the mayor's data covers the entire Shevchenkivskyi district, where a number of facilities were damaged as a result of the attack, whereas the owner's statement refers exclusively to his venue at 24a Volodymyrska Street. Nevertheless, the direct comparison of these figures in the public space creates a risk of confusion for readers, and the final tally of casualties in the district had not been fully verified at the time of the article's publication.

Impact on neighboring venues and infrastructure

The strike on the district affected not only 'Zavertailo.' The nearby venue 'Buti Sofi' reported on its Instagram that, as a result of the shelling, the building of the reserve in which it is located sustained damage. 'An evacuation is currently underway, so Buti Sofie is not operating today. We will announce further details about operations later,' the venue's representatives wrote. The broader context of the attack is confirmed by other sources as well: according to Focus, extensive business damage has been recorded in Kyiv, including the burned shopping mall 'Kvartal' and dozens of damaged venues, indicating a significant radius of the shock wave's impact in the central part of the city.

About the 'Zavertailo' brand and its place on Kyiv's gastronomic map

'Zavertailo' is a Kyiv-based chain of family bakeries founded by Stanislav and Anna Zavertailo. The brand's story began in Podil in 2021, and in April 2023 the second location opened — near Saint Sophia of Kyiv — becoming one of the most recognizable spots in the historic center. The venue emphasizes sourdough bread, in-house baking, and local products; the menu features breakfasts, desserts, and main dishes. The destruction of the location at 24a Volodymyrska Street has been a serious blow not only to the business but also to the gastronomic landscape of one of the capital's most visited tourist districts. At the time of the article's publication, the owners had not announced timelines for restoration and the resumption of the venue's operations.