Ukraine War: 27 Dead in Kyiv Drone Strike on Ammunition Depot

Kyiv is reeling from a devastating Russian drone attack that struck an ammunition depot near the Ukrainian capital late Friday evening. The strike, which occurred shortly after 8:00 PM local time, claimed the lives of at least 27 people and left dozens injured, according to preliminary reports.

President Volodymyr Zelenskyy described the extensive damage caused by the attack, stating via Telegram that "significant damage to the surrounding infrastructure: residential buildings as well as a senior and disabled care home were damaged." The blast necessitated the evacuation of nearly 400 people from the vicinity. Among the deceased was Taras Didych, the head of the Dmytriwka community, who had rushed to the scene immediately after the explosion.

Over 300 rescue workers were deployed to the site. The Prosecutor General's Office confirmed that a business premises was hit during the assault. Zelenskyy pointed to regulations stating that "ammunition must not be located next to houses and other residential buildings," and indicated that criminal proceedings had been initiated. The main route west from Kyiv was completely closed for several kilometers to facilitate rescue and firefighting operations.

This incident echoes a similar event in early July on the southwestern outskirts of Kyiv, where at least nine people died. Prime Minister Serhiy Kurykin expressed frustration, writing on Telegram, "In the fifth year of the war, the same mistakes are being made – this is criminal negligence." Russia has stated that the target was indeed an ammunition depot. Ukraine has been defending against the Russian invasion for over four and a half years.