At least 27 people were killed after a Russian drone strike on a warehouse in Ukraine's Kyiv region triggered a massive detonation, Ukrainian officials said on Saturday.
The strike hit a warehouse in the village of Myla in the Bucha district late on Friday, causing a large fire followed by a series of explosions. Another 42 people were injured, while more than 380 residents were evacuated from the surrounding area. Officials warned that the death toll could rise as search operations continue.
Residential Areas Damaged
The blast caused significant damage beyond the warehouse itself.
At least 50 residential buildings were damaged, while a facility caring for elderly and disabled people was also affected. Nearby commercial buildings, including a restaurant, were damaged as the fire spread through the area.
Emergency crews were sent to the site to extinguish fires, clear debris and search damaged structures for people who may still be trapped.
Investigation Into Explosive Storage
The incident has also raised questions over what was being stored at the warehouse.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the strike on the warehouse was followed by a detonation and questioned why ammunition or explosive materials were apparently being stored close to residential areas.
He said Ukrainian regulations prohibit the storage of ammunition near homes and said those responsible should be held accountable. Criminal proceedings have been opened to investigate possible official negligence.
Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi also criticised what he described as serious negligence and called for accountability.
Rescue Operations Underway
Emergency responders continued working at the site on Saturday.
Firefighters were battling remaining flames while rescue teams cleared collapsed structures and searched the surrounding area.
The presence of explosive materials has added another layer of danger for emergency crews, making the recovery operation more complicated.
Authorities are also inspecting nearby buildings to determine the full extent of the damage.
Casualties Could Rise
Officials have warned that the current death toll may not be final.
Twenty-seven people have been confirmed dead, while 42 others were injured. Children were among those wounded, according to Ukrainian officials.
As rescue teams continue searching through debris, authorities are working to identify victims and provide medical care to those injured.
Part of Wider Russian Air Assault
The warehouse strike came after two days of repeated Russian drone attacks across Kyiv and the surrounding region.
The attacks have hit warehouses, homes and other infrastructure, disrupting transport, business activity and everyday life in the capital region.
Ukraine has increasingly accused Russia of targeting logistics infrastructure in an effort to disrupt the country's economy and supply chains.
Recent Russian strikes have also damaged major food and retail logistics facilities across Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have warned that the damage is putting additional pressure on the country's distribution networks.
Growing Pressure on Kyiv
Kyiv and its surrounding region have faced repeated waves of Russian drones as the war continues.
The attacks have forced residents to spend extended periods under air-raid alerts and have caused repeated disruptions to businesses and transport.
The latest warehouse blast has added another major casualty incident to the growing list of attacks around the capital.
Ukraine Also Intensifies Strikes
The latest Russian attacks are taking place amid a broader escalation in aerial warfare.
Ukraine has also increased its long-range drone operations against targets inside Russia. Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has ordered a significant expansion of the country's daily long-range strike capacity.
The intensification of attacks on both sides is increasing pressure on civilian infrastructure and logistics networks.
Security Questions After the Blast
Beyond the immediate casualties, the warehouse explosion has raised questions about the security of sensitive facilities located near populated areas.
The investigation will examine whether explosive materials were stored legally and whether adequate safety measures were in place.
The findings could lead to changes in how ammunition and other dangerous materials are stored, particularly in areas vulnerable to Russian air attacks.
A Difficult Recovery
For local residents, the attack has left homes damaged and communities disrupted.
More than 380 people have already been evacuated, and authorities are continuing to assess whether additional residents need to leave the area.
Emergency services will now have to clear dangerous debris, assess structural damage and make the area safe before residents can return.
The Road Ahead
The immediate priority remains finding anyone still trapped, treating the injured and securing the affected site.
At the same time, Ukrainian investigators will examine the circumstances surrounding the storage of explosive materials and determine whether official negligence contributed to the scale of the disaster.
The attack also underscores the growing vulnerability of warehouses and logistics facilities as Russia continues to target infrastructure around Kyiv.
With at least 27 people dead, 42 injured and hundreds evacuated, the strike has become one of the deadliest recent attacks in the Kyiv region.
The investigation into the warehouse and the circumstances surrounding the detonation will now run alongside the continuing rescue operation and Ukraine's broader efforts to protect critical infrastructure from further Russian attacks.
