Russian strike on weapons depot kills 37
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The gist
Russian drone strike on a Kyiv warehouse killed 37, including 34 elderly care residents. Ukraine opened a negligence investigation after Zelensky said the depot shouldn't have been there.
Background
The strike hit a warehouse in the Bucha district near Kyiv that Ukrainian officials say may have been illegally storing munitions near a residential area. It was the second attack on an arms depot near Kyiv in less than two months, following a July strike in Vyshneve that killed 22. The incident has raised questions about the safety of storing weapons near civilian areas.
How it unfolded
- Jul 2026A Russian strike on an ammunition depot in Vyshneve, near Kyiv, killed 22 people, prompting an investigation that found failings by a state-owned company.
- Aug 28, 2026 (late night)Russian drones struck a warehouse in the Bucha district, sparking explosions and a major fire, killing at least 37 people, including 34 elderly care residents.
- Aug 29, 2026Ukrainian authorities opened a negligence investigation; President Zelensky said the depot 'definitely shouldn't have been there.' A day of mourning was declared for Sunday.
Who’s saying what
- Official
- Ukraine's Defense Ministry alleged the warehouse may have been storing munitions illegally near a residential area.
- Official
- Russia's defense ministry said it hit a warehouse storing components and launch boosters for long-range drones.
- Analysts
- The attack is one of the deadliest this year, as Russia steps up airstrikes using jet-powered drones to evade interceptors.
Still unverified
Ukraine's allegation that the warehouse was storing munitions illegally is unconfirmed; Russia claims it hit a legitimate military target.