A Russian drone attack on an ammunition depot near Kyiv triggered major fires and explosions, killing at least 37 people and forcing hundreds to evacuate, according to Ukrainian officials.
KYIV, UKRAINE — WEB DESK: At least 37 people were killed after a Russian drone strike hit an ammunition depot near Kyiv, triggering a major fire and explosions and forcing more than 370 people to evacuate, according to Ukrainian officials.
The attack struck the Bucha district near the Ukrainian capital late Friday, in what Deutsche Welle described as one of the deadliest attacks in Ukraine this year. Dozens of people were also injured.
The strike came amid an intensification of Russian long-range attacks on Ukraine, with drones increasingly targeting logistics facilities and other infrastructure.
Major fire and explosions
The drone attack sparked a large fire at the arms depot, with explosions reported at the site. Kyiv region Governor Tymur Tkachenko said at least 37 people had died and that dozens more were injured.
More than 370 people were evacuated from the surrounding area, while at least 50 residential buildings were reportedly damaged.
Among those killed was Taras Didych, head of the Dmytrivka community, who reportedly rushed to the scene to help rescue people following the attack.
Zelenskyy calls for investigation
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said criminal proceedings had been opened over alleged official negligence linked to the storage of ammunition near residential areas.
“There are regulations in place — ammunition cannot be stored near homes or other residential areas,” Zelenskyy said, according to DW.
Zelenskyy also said Ukraine needed stronger measures to defend itself against Russia’s continuing drone attacks.
Russia-Ukraine strikes intensify
The attack followed two days of near-continuous Russian air raids targeting Kyiv and surrounding areas.
DW reported that Russia has recently intensified long-range strikes against Ukraine, including attacks on logistics warehouses, oil facilities and port infrastructure.
The strike on the depot was also the second attack on an arms storage facility near Kyiv in less than two months. A previous attack on an ammunition warehouse in Vyshneve reportedly caused secondary explosions and killed 10 people.
