The death toll resulting from a Russian attack on a warehouse located west of Kyiv, marking the deadliest assault in the ongoing conflict this year, has climbed to 38 individuals, with four individuals still unaccounted for, as stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on social media on Sunday. The strike, which occurred on Friday night on the warehouse, identified as an ammunition storage facility by Ukrainian authorities, led to extensive explosions and fires that engulfed numerous nearby residences and structures.
Efforts by emergency personnel are ongoing to extinguish fires, locate, and neutralize explosive devices at the site in the village of Myla, as reported by Zelenskyy. He further mentioned that 20 people sustained injuries, including two children. Following the incident in Myla, Zelenskyy labeled it a “terrible situation” and attributed it to “terrible negligence” by those who stored explosives in close proximity to civilians. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the storage of ammunition at that location.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry announced its intentions to carry out “massive strikes” targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in response to a Ukrainian drone campaign directed at a retailer referred to as “Russia’s Amazon” and the nation’s oil and gas sector. According to Kyiv, these sectors not only finance but also directly support Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov pledged an “appropriate response” to what he deemed as Ukraine’s “escalatory path” and its impact on Russia’s civilian economy.
Ukraine has recently conducted lethal strikes against the facilities of Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, citing the sale of dual-use goods aiding the Kremlin’s military operations. Ukrainian drones have also targeted Russian oil refineries and other energy facilities, leading to an unprecedented fuel crisis in a country known for its significant energy production.
In another development, Ukraine’s new defense minister, Yevhen Khmara, discussed strategies for addressing the substantial funding gap inherited from his predecessor, including seeking increased contributions from allies. Khmara, a former special forces officer turned civilian minister, emphasized the importance of preventing shortages on the battlefield, ensuring soldiers receive their due compensation, and meeting other critical requirements amid mounting financial pressures.
Furthermore, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported intercepting or neutralizing nearly 500 Ukrainian drones launched overnight, with unverified claims suggesting drone strikes ignited a major oil refinery in Kirishi, southeast of St Petersburg. While authorities had not confirmed these reports immediately, local officials acknowledged a fire in Kirishi’s industrial zone following the drone attacks. The ongoing conflict has resulted in casualties on both sides, with reports of fatalities and injuries in various locations in Ukraine and Russia.
