Key facts
- A Russian drone strike on Aug. 28 hit a Ukrainian military ammunition depot in Myla, Kyiv Oblast.
- At least 38 people were killed and 20 injured, including two children.
- The attack triggered a large fire and a chain of explosions involving ammunition and drones.
- Search and rescue operations are ongoing, with four people still missing.
- The Ukrainian Security Service has opened criminal proceedings over the incident.
- Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi called for accountability and severe punishment for those responsible.
At least 38 people were killed and 20 injured, including two children, in a Russian drone attack on an ammunition depot in Myla, Kyiv Oblast, on Aug. 28. The strike, which occurred around 8:10 p.m. local time, ignited a large fire and triggered a series of detonations involving shells, mines, and other ammunition.
President Volodymyr Zelensky reported the casualty figures on Aug. 30, stating that search and rescue efforts were ongoing with four people still missing. He noted that the attack hit a Ukrainian military ammunition depot and blamed negligence for the incident, emphasizing that ammunition should not be stored near residential buildings.
Local residents described the terrifying experience of powerful explosions and a massive fire. Stefania Torska, who was on a video call with her children, recounted hearing a powerful explosion and then running for her life as the fire spread. Nataliia Kuznietsova, a veterinarian, described her clinic shaking and windows blowing out as the explosions grew stronger, noting that the ammunition depot was across the road from her facility.
Taras Didych, the head of the Dmytrivka community, was killed in the attack while responding to the initial incident. He was highly regarded for his help during the occupation of the area.
Tetiana Biletska, a local business owner, reported seeing a drone heading toward the warehouse before the first massive explosion. She described continuous explosions, some occurring every second, causing her ears to ring. She was unaware that ammunition was stored at the facility.
As of the morning of Aug. 29, over 300 emergency service workers were involved in extinguishing fires, clearing debris, and conducting search-and-rescue operations. At least 130 residential buildings were damaged, along with a care facility for the elderly and disabled. Approximately 381 people, including 59 children, were evacuated.
Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) has opened criminal proceedings over the attack, investigating it as a crime of aggression and negligent treatment of military service. Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi called for accountability and severe punishment for those responsible, stating that making the same mistakes five years into the full-scale invasion is criminal negligence. The government has pledged to allocate funds from its reserve budget to support and compensate those affected.