A Russian strike on an ammunition warehouse west of Kyiv has killed 38 people in the deadliest single attack on Ukraine this year, with four more still missing.
The death toll from a Russian strike on an ammunition warehouse west of Kyiv has risen to 38, making it the deadliest single attack on Ukraine this year. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the new figure on social media Sunday, with four people still unaccounted for.
The strike triggered massive explosions and fires at a storage site in the village of Myla, on the outskirts of the Ukrainian capital. Emergency crews spent the weekend extinguishing blazes and clearing explosive devices scattered across the area.
Officials said at least 37 people were killed following the strike near Kyiv on Saturday, before the toll climbed to 38 as rescue teams sifted through the debris. The attack now stands as the single deadliest of the year, surpassing previous strikes that have battered Ukrainian cities and infrastructure.
Zelenskyy ordered an investigation into how and why the ammunition was stored at the site, a sign of the internal scrutiny the attack has triggered. The warehouse was located close enough to the capital that the blasts were felt across parts of Kyiv.
Emergency crews continued working at the scene through the weekend, dealing with unexploded ordnance and secondary fires triggered by the initial blast. The scale of the destruction has complicated recovery efforts, with teams forced to move carefully through the site.
Images from the village show destroyed vehicles and debris scattered across the area in the aftermath of the explosion. The daily nationwide minute of silence observed in Kyiv on Sunday honored soldiers killed in the war, as the attack underscored the continued human cost of the conflict.
The strike comes as Ukraine continues to face waves of Russian attacks targeting both military sites and civilian infrastructure. Kyiv has repeatedly called on Western allies to provide more air defense systems and longer-range weapons to counter the threat.
Ukrainian officials have warned that ammunition storage facilities and supply lines remain vulnerable targets as Russia presses its campaign. The attack on Myla highlights the risks of warehousing large quantities of munitions near populated areas.
Recovery teams are expected to continue searching the site for the four people still missing, with the death toll potentially rising further. The investigation ordered by Zelenskyy will examine the chain of decisions that left ammunition stockpiled so close to the capital.
For Ukraine, the strike is a stark reminder of the war's relentless toll as the conflict enters another grinding phase. Western allies will be watching closely as Kyiv adjusts its defensive posture in response to the deadliest attack of the year.
A Russian strike on an ammunition warehouse west of Kyiv has killed 38 people in the deadliest single attack on Ukraine this year, with four more still missing.
freedomlinedispatch.com
