Russian Drone Hits Ammo Warehouse Near Kyiv, Killing 37; Officials Blame 'Criminal Negligence'
Russia bombs an ammo warehouse that shouldn't have been there, killing 37, and Ukraine's leaders are furious about the 'criminal negligence' that made it possible.
In a move that has Ukraine's leadership using words like 'criminal negligence' and 'absolutely should not have been there,' a Russian drone strike on a warehouse storing explosive materials near Kyiv's western suburbs has killed at least 37 people. The attack, which occurred in the Bucha district, also damaged at least 50 residential buildings, including a care home for the elderly and disabled, and triggered a massive fire and explosions that could probably be heard in the next oblast.
Regional governor Tymur Tkachenko reported 42 injuries, including four children. Over 370 people have been evacuated, with the process ongoing, according to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. He confirmed that the warehouse in the town of Myla was a military depot storing shells, drones, and other munitions. 'The first impact was on a place where ammunition was being stored that absolutely should not have been there,' Zelenskyy said, adding that the detonation of shells, mines, and drones was 'on a significant scale.'
Criminal proceedings have been opened on charges of official negligence. Zelenskyy noted that 'regulations are in place - ammunition cannot be stored near homes or other residential areas.' Among the dead is Taras Didych, the head of the Dmytrivka community, who was killed while rescuing people. Ukrainian prosecutors have also launched an investigation into the legality of the storage of explosive objects and materials at the site.
Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi expressed regret that lessons from a previous deadly strike on a munitions depot in Vyshneve in July, which killed 22, had not been learned. That incident revealed serious failings by a state-owned company that ignored regulations on proximity to residential buildings. 'Unfortunately, we can already see that the terrible tragedy in Vyshneve did not become a lesson,' Koretskyi said. 'In the fifth year of a full-scale invasion, making the same mistakes is criminal negligence.' He demanded severe punishment for all those responsible.
Russia's defence ministry claimed it hit a warehouse storing components and launch boosters for long-range drones, and also attacked ports in Mykolaiv and Izmail, plus a logistics centre and facilities storing parts for Ukraine's Flamingo cruise missiles. Meanwhile, Russian attacks across the southern Kherson region killed two and wounded 27, including a child, on Saturday. Because apparently, the drone strike wasn't enough for one day.
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