Russian Drone Attack Near Kyiv Kills 37 in Deadliest Strike of the Year
A Russian drone strike on a weapons depot near Kyiv killed at least 37 people, marking the deadliest attack of the year in the region.
A Russian drone assault on a depot near Kyiv’s western suburbs killed at least 37 people overnight, Ukrainian authorities said on Saturday, marking one of the deadliest attacks of the year [230529][230620]. The strike sparked a massive fire and a series of explosions that damaged nearby residential buildings, forcing hundreds of families to flee their homes [230529][230478][230439].
The attack hit an ammunition depot in the Bucha district, just outside the Ukrainian capital, triggering a massive explosion that spread to nearby homes and a restaurant [230347][230138]. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the strike hit a warehouse in the village of Myla, causing a massive explosion [230138]. He confirmed that criminal proceedings have been opened on charges of official negligence, stating that "ammunition cannot be stored near homes or other residential areas" [230138][230529].
Emergency crews worked through the night to contain the fire and search for survivors [230529]. At least 42 people were wounded, and more than 370 residents have been evacuated from the area [230289][230138]. Local officials warned that the death toll could rise as rescue teams continue sifting through the rubble [230289][230439].
The attack comes after nearly 72 hours of constant drone strikes across Ukraine, which have severely disrupted civilian life and forced people into shelters [230620][230138]. Since Thursday, Moscow’s jet-powered drones have kept the area under near-constant threat, setting off 27 separate air-raid alerts [230478]. Ukrainian air defenses managed to intercept some of the drones, but the sheer volume of the assault overwhelmed parts of the city’s outer defenses [230478].
The strike damaged at least 50 residential buildings, as well as a care home for elderly people and those with disabilities [230138]. President Zelensky promised retaliation for the attack, emphasizing that those responsible must be held accountable for their decisions [230289][230529].