At least 37 people were killed after a Russian drone struck a warehouse in Myla, west of Kyiv, triggering a massive explosion and fires that spread through nearby residential areas, Ukrainian authorities said. The attack, which took place overnight on August 28, has become the deadliest Russian strike in the Kyiv area this year.
Ukrainian officials said the warehouse was storing ammunition and other explosive materials, including shells and mines. After the drone hit the facility, a huge detonation sent flames and debris across the surrounding area, damaging dozens of homes and other buildings. More than 370 people were evacuated as emergency crews worked to contain the fires and search for victims.
The deaths have also triggered an investigation inside Ukraine over why military explosives were being stored so close to residential communities. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the situation as a serious failure and said ammunition should not have been kept near homes. Ukrainian authorities have opened criminal proceedings to determine whether negligence contributed to the scale of the disaster.
The tragedy has added pressure on Ukrainian officials as Russian forces continue a sustained campaign of drone and missile attacks against Kyiv and other parts of the country. Ukrainian authorities have warned that Russia is increasingly using newer, faster drones that can be more difficult for air defenses to intercept.
Russia said the strike targeted a military facility, while Ukrainian officials focused on the devastating consequences for civilians living nearby. The incident illustrates the growing risks faced by communities close to military infrastructure as the war continues into its fifth year.
Rescue operations and investigations were continuing as authorities assessed the full extent of the damage. The attack has also renewed questions about Ukraine’s weapons-storage practices and whether stronger safety measures could have prevented the loss of so many lives.
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