A Russian drone strike on an arms depot near Kyiv resulted in at least 37 fatalities, including the mayor of the nearby town of Dmytrivka, officials said Sunday. The attack, which caused widespread fires and explosions, also damaged buildings and homes in the surrounding residential areas, forcing hundreds of residents to evacuate.
The incident marks the second Russian attack on a munitions depot near the Ukrainian capital in less than two months, raising concerns over the storage of ammunition close to populated neighborhoods. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the local authorities for what he described as "horrific negligence," emphasizing that storing explosives near homes is unacceptable. He called for those responsible to be held accountable, underscoring the risks posed to civilians by such practices.
The depot, owned by the Ukrainian military, housed drones, shells, and other munitions. Kyiv’s regional governor, Tymur Tkachenko, confirmed the death toll via Telegram, lamenting the loss of life that also included several civilians. Ukrainian prosecutors have opened an investigation into possible criminal negligence related to the incident, examining the legality of the depot’s storage conditions and whether the site had the necessary permits and approvals.
Prime Minister Sergiy Koretsky echoed Zelensky’s criticism, highlighting prior violations uncovered after a similar strike in July. At that time, a state-owned company was found to have disregarded regulations regarding the proximity of explosive materials to residential buildings. Koretsky described the repetition of such errors as “criminal negligence” and urged severe punishment for all responsible parties to prevent future tragedies.
The strike came amid intensified long-range assaults from both sides, with Russia and Ukraine launching numerous missiles and drones in recent months. According to the Ukrainian air force, between late Friday and early Saturday, Russia deployed at least two missiles and 267 drones targeting Ukrainian territory. Aside from the depot attack, Russian strikes killed three other Ukrainians on Saturday, including young children in Kyiv and its suburbs.
On the Russian side, Ukrainian attacks have also caused casualties. Three people died in Russia’s Belgorod region, where a fire broke out at a warehouse owned by the retailer Ozon. Additionally, a strike in Sevastopol, Crimea, claimed one life as reported by the city’s Russian-installed governor.
Diplomatic efforts led by the United States and European partners to negotiate an end to the conflict have remained stalled for months. Russia continues to demand substantial territorial and political concessions from Ukraine, a position Kyiv rejects as a non-starter. The war, now in its fifth year, remains Europe’s deadliest since World War II.