The death toll resulting from a Russian attack on a warehouse located west of Kyiv, marking the deadliest incident of the year, has climbed to 38 individuals with four individuals still unaccounted for, as stated by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy via social media on Sunday. The assault took place on Friday evening at the warehouse, described by Ukrainian authorities as an ammunition storage facility, causing significant explosions and fires that spread to numerous nearby residences and structures. Efforts by emergency responders to extinguish fires and locate and disarm explosive devices at the site in the village of Myla are ongoing, according to Zelenskyy. He reported that 20 individuals sustained injuries, including two children.
In response to the Myla attack, which Zelenskyy characterized as a tragic incident resulting from negligence by those who stored explosives in close proximity to civilians, an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances surrounding the storage of ammunition at that location.
Russia’s Defence Ministry announced on Sunday its intentions to carry out “massive strikes” targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure following a Ukrainian drone campaign directed at a retailer known as “Russia’s Amazon” and the nation’s oil and gas sector. Kyiv alleges that these sectors not only fund but also directly support Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov pledged a commensurate response to what he labeled as Ukraine’s “escalation” tactics and its targeting of Russia’s civilian economy.
Recent months have witnessed deadly strikes by Ukraine on the facilities of Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, with allegations that the company sells items with dual-use capabilities that aid the Kremlin’s military efforts. Ukrainian drones have also conducted attacks on Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure, leading to an unprecedented fuel crisis in a country renowned as a major energy producer.
In separate news, Ukraine’s new defence minister, Yevhen Khmara, outlined strategies to address the significant funding shortfall he inherited from his predecessor, including seeking increased contributions from allies. Khmara, a former special forces officer who transitioned to a civilian ministerial role, emphasized the importance of avoiding shortages on the battlefield while ensuring soldiers receive their due compensation and essential requirements are met.
Moreover, on the same day, Russia’s Defence Ministry reported that its forces had intercepted or neutralized nearly 500 Ukrainian drones launched during the night. Unverified reports from independent news sources on Russian and Ukrainian Telegram platforms suggested that the drone strikes ignited a major oil refinery in Kirishi, situated southeast of St Petersburg. The facility, Kirishi Petroleum Organic Synthesis, stands as one of Russia’s largest oil refineries and the sole one in the northwest region of the country. Local authorities reported that a fire had erupted in Kirishi’s industrial zone following the drone attacks, with 62 drones reportedly downed in the surrounding area.
