Russian Drone Strike on Weapons Depot Near Kyiv Leaves 37 Dead
Kyiv, August 29, 2026: At least 37 people have been killed and nearly 400 evacuated after a Russian drone attack struck a weapons storage facility near a residential area on the outskirts of Kyiv, Ukrainian authorities said.
The attack took place late Friday in the Bucha district, west of the Ukrainian capital. The strike reportedly triggered a series of explosions after stored ammunition, mines, shells and drones detonated at the site, sending debris across surrounding areas and damaging nearby buildings.
Residential Area Hit by Powerful Explosions
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said the blast damaged several properties close to the weapons depot, including a facility providing care for elderly and disabled people.
Zelensky criticised the decision to keep explosive military materials so close to residential communities. He said the storage location should not have been situated in such an area and announced an investigation into what he described as serious negligence in the handling and storage of explosives.
The incident has raised fresh concerns in Ukraine over the safety of military facilities located close to populated areas.
Dozens Injured as Rescue Operation Continues
Regional authorities said 42 people were injured in the explosion, including four children. Emergency crews continued working at the scene on Saturday, searching through damaged areas and assisting people affected by the blast.
Almost 400 residents were evacuated from nearby locations following the explosions. Authorities have been assessing damaged buildings while emergency personnel work to make the area safe.
The death toll and number of casualties could change as rescue teams continue their work and officials complete assessments of the affected area.
Russia Says Ammunition Depot Was Targeted
Russia’s Defence Ministry said its forces had deliberately targeted an ammunition depot in the village of Myla, west of Kyiv.
According to the Russian ministry, the facility contained components and launch boosters associated with FP-1 and FP-2 long-range unmanned aerial vehicles.
The Russian statement did not address the reported damage to nearby civilian properties or the casualties reported by Ukrainian authorities.
Second Depot Incident Near Kyiv
The latest explosion has generated renewed anger in Ukraine because it follows another incident involving a munitions depot near Kyiv in recent months.
The repeated incidents have intensified debate over the location and security of military storage facilities, particularly those situated close to homes and civilian institutions.
The Ukrainian investigation is expected to examine both the circumstances surrounding the Russian strike and the decisions that allowed large quantities of explosive material to be stored near populated areas.
Continuing Pressure on Kyiv
The attack comes as Russia continues its long-range campaign against targets across Ukraine. Drone strikes have repeatedly threatened Kyiv and other Ukrainian cities, while Ukraine has also increased its use of long-range drones against targets inside Russian territory.
For residents near the Ukrainian capital, Friday night’s explosions demonstrated the dangers created not only by incoming attacks but also by secondary detonations at military facilities.
Authorities are now focused on rescue and recovery efforts while investigators work to establish exactly how the weapons depot was operated and why it was located so close to civilian communities.
