Near a residential neighbourhood on the outskirts of Kyiv, a Russian drone strike hit a depot storing weapons for Ukraine's military, triggering a massive explosion that killed at least 37 people and forced hundreds to evacuate.
According to President Volodymyr Zelensky, the strike caused shells, explosives and drones to detonate late on Friday, damaging surrounding homes, including a care facility for elderly and disabled people.
Zelensky orders probe into explosives storage near homes
Zelensky said an investigation had been launched into "terrible negligence on the part of those who stored explosives right next to people", adding that the storage facility "definitely shouldn't have been there".
The attack has renewed concerns over the storage of munitions near residential areas. It was the second strike on a munitions depot near Kyiv in recent months.
According to regional head Tymur Tkachenko, the explosion injured 42 people, including four children. Rescue operations continued at the site in the Bucha district on Saturday.
Blast damages 130 homes near Kyiv ammunition depot
In a statement, Russia's Ministry of Defence claimed that its forces had attacked "an ammunition depot" containing "components and launch boosters for FP-1/FP-2 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles" near the town of Myla, west of the Ukrainian capital.
About 130 houses in the village were damaged by the explosion. Earlier, Ukraine's prosecutor general's office said it was investigating the "legality of the placement and storage of explosive objects and materials" near residential buildings in Myla.
It also said the "actions of officials who made the relevant decisions" would be investigated. Zelensky added that "appropriate conclusions will certainly be drawn".
"Near a residential neighbourhood on the outskirts of Kyiv, a Russian drone strike hit a depot storing weapons for Ukraine's military, trigge…"