Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced a criminal investigation following a Russian attack on a warehouse storing munitions that resulted in at least 37 deaths near Kyiv. In a video shared on X, Zelenskyy stated, "A criminal investigation is under way. All the facts must be established." He criticized the negligence of those who stored explosives near residential buildings and noted that the Prosecutor General, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Security Service of Ukraine, and the Commander-in-Chief have the necessary resources for the investigation.
The attack occurred overnight on Friday in the town of Myla, located near Kyiv’s western suburbs, and was followed by significant explosions. Kyiv region governor Tymur Tkachenko reported on Telegram that the death toll had risen to 37 and that rescue operations were ongoing. Tkachenko also indicated that at least 50 residential buildings were damaged, leading to a large-scale fire that affected homes and a restaurant. Nearly 400 people were evacuated from the area, with numerous injuries reported. Among the deceased was Taras Didych, the mayor of Dmytrivka.
Ukrainian prosecutors stated that the warehouse contained "explosive objects" and announced an investigation into potential criminal negligence regarding the storage of these materials. The investigation will assess whether the company responsible for the warehouse had the necessary permits and approvals for storing explosives near residential areas. Zelenskyy previously emphasized that regulations prohibit the storage of ammunition close to homes.
Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi expressed disappointment that lessons had not been learned from a prior deadly attack in July on a munitions depot in Vyshneve, which revealed significant failings in compliance with storage standards. Koretskyi stated, "In the fifth year of [Russia’s] full-scale invasion, making the same mistakes over and over is criminal negligence," calling for accountability for those responsible.
In addition to the warehouse strike, Russian attacks early on Saturday resulted in three fatalities, including a two-year-old child and a 14-year-old girl in Kyiv's outer suburbs, according to officials. Meanwhile, in Russia, local authorities reported that a Ukrainian drone attack in the Belgorod region killed three people and injured nine, with three in serious condition. A Ukrainian drone strike in Sevastopol, Crimea, also resulted in one death and three injuries, according to Mikhail Razvozhayev, the Moscow-appointed governor of the city.
Both Russia and Ukraine have escalated long-range strikes against each other in recent months, increasingly targeting civilian infrastructure, which has led to a rise in civilian casualties.