The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, revealed on social media that the death toll resulting from a Russian attack on a warehouse located west of Kyiv, marked as the deadliest incident in the ongoing conflict this year, has now climbed to 38 individuals, with four still unaccounted for. The strike, which occurred on Friday night, targeted an ammunition storage facility, causing significant explosions and fires that engulfed numerous nearby residences and structures.
Efforts by emergency responders to extinguish fires, as well as identify and neutralize explosive devices at the site in the village of Myla, are ongoing, as stated by Zelenskyy. The aftermath of the attack left 20 people wounded, including two children.
Addressing the Myla attack, Zelenskyy condemned the incident as a “terrible situation” and attributed it to “terrible negligence” by those responsible for storing explosives in close proximity to civilians. He announced an investigation into the circumstances leading to the storage of ammunition in that location.
Russia Announces Plans for ‘Massive Strikes’ on Ukraine’s Energy Sector
On Sunday, Russia’s Defence Ministry announced preparations for launching “massive strikes” targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. This decision follows Ukraine’s drone operations against a retailer known as “Russia’s Amazon” and the country’s oil and gas sector, which Kyiv alleges fund and support Moscow’s invasion.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov pledged an “appropriate response” to what he described as Ukraine’s “escalation” and targeting of Russia’s civilian economy.
In recent months, Ukraine has conducted lethal strikes on the facilities of Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, accusing the company of selling goods that aid the Kremlin’s military efforts. Ukrainian drones have also targeted Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure, leading to a severe fuel crisis in a nation recognized as one of the world’s top energy producers.
Ukraine’s New Defence Minister Outlines Strategies to Address Funding Gap
Ukraine’s new Defence Minister, Yevhen Khmara, outlined plans to bridge the significant funding shortfall inherited from his predecessor, including seeking increased contributions from allies. Khmara, a former special forces officer who transitioned to a civilian role, emphasized the importance of ensuring soldiers’ needs are met while preventing shortages on the battlefield.
His appointment followed a period of unrest triggered by the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov, culminating in a military restructuring in Kyiv. Khmara’s comments were made public during his first briefing with reporters since assuming office.
Russian Forces Down Nearly 500 Ukrainian Drones; Escalating Tensions
Russian forces claimed to have downed or neutralized close to 500 Ukrainian drones deployed overnight. Reports from independent sources suggested that the drone attacks caused a fire at a major oil refinery in Kirishi, southeast of St Petersburg, though official confirmation was pending.
Additionally, Russian strikes on Kyiv resulted in casualties, including a two-year-old child and several injured individuals. In eastern Ukraine, fatalities occurred as Russian troops bombed residential areas, while a Ukrainian strike in Russian-occupied territory claimed a life and caused injuries.
Simultaneously, retaliatory actions by Ukraine targeted Russian border regions, injuring several individuals and heightening tensions in the ongoing conflict.
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