Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on social media that the death toll from a Russian strike on a warehouse near Kyiv, which is considered the most fatal attack this year, has reached 38, with four individuals still unaccounted for. The strike, targeting an ammunition storage facility, led to significant explosions and fires that engulfed numerous nearby residences and structures.
Efforts by emergency personnel to extinguish fires and locate and neutralize explosive devices at the site in the village of Myla are ongoing, as per Zelenskyy. He mentioned that 20 individuals sustained injuries, including two children.
Zelenskyy described the attack in Myla as a tragic incident and attributed it to the severe negligence of those responsible for storing explosives in close proximity to civilians. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances and reasons behind the presence of ammunition at the location.
Meanwhile, Russia’s Defence Ministry announced plans to launch substantial strikes targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in response to a Ukrainian drone campaign against a major retailer known as “Russia’s Amazon” and the nation’s oil and gas sector. These sectors allegedly provide financial support for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine, according to Kyiv.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov vowed a retaliatory response to what he labeled as Ukraine’s escalating actions and targeting of Russia’s civilian economy.
In recent months, Ukraine carried out lethal strikes on the facilities of Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, citing the sale of items that aid the Kremlin’s war efforts. Ukrainian drones have also targeted Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure, leading to a severe fuel crisis in a country known for its significant energy production.
Yevhen Khmara, Ukraine’s new defence minister, outlined plans to address the substantial funding gap he inherited, including seeking additional contributions from partners. The former special forces officer emphasized the importance of avoiding shortages on the battlefield, ensuring soldiers receive payment, and meeting other essential requirements.
On the same day, the Russian Defence Ministry reported intercepting or neutralizing nearly 500 Ukrainian drones launched overnight. Unconfirmed reports suggested that drone strikes caused a fire at a major oil refinery in Kirishi, Russia. Local authorities confirmed a fire in the industrial zone following the drone attacks and reported the downing of 62 drones in the surrounding area.
In various incidents, Russian strikes in Kyiv resulted in casualties, including a two-year-old girl and multiple injuries, while Ukrainian actions in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine led to fatalities and injuries among civilians and personnel. Additionally, Ukrainian drone strikes in Russian border regions caused injuries to several individuals.
These developments underscore the escalating tensions and violence between Russia and Ukraine as the conflict continues to unfold.