Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on social media that the death toll from a Russian strike on a warehouse located west of Kyiv, which is considered the deadliest attack in the ongoing conflict this year, has reached 38 individuals, with four people still unaccounted for.
The warehouse, identified by Ukrainian officials as an ammunition storage facility, was targeted in the strike on Friday night, triggering massive explosions and fires that spread to numerous nearby homes and structures.
Efforts by emergency personnel are ongoing to extinguish fires, identify, and neutralize explosive devices at the site in the village of Myla, as stated by President Zelenskyy. He also mentioned that 20 individuals sustained injuries, including two children.
Describing the attack on Myla as a “terrible situation,” President Zelenskyy attributed it to “terrible negligence” on the part of those responsible for storing explosives in close proximity to civilians. An investigation is underway to determine the circumstances under which the ammunition was stored in that location.
Russia Announces Plans for ‘Massive Strikes’ on Ukraine’s Energy Sector
On Sunday, Russia’s Defence Ministry declared its readiness to launch “massive strikes” targeting Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in response to a recent Ukrainian drone campaign that targeted a major retailer known as “Russia’s Amazon” and the nation’s oil and gas sector. Kyiv alleges that these sectors financially support and directly contribute to Moscow’s military actions in Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov promised to deliver an “appropriate response” to what he labeled as Ukraine’s “escalatory path” and its focus on Russia’s civilian economy.
In recent months, Ukraine has conducted deadly strikes against the facilities of Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, citing the sale of dual-use goods aiding the Kremlin’s war efforts. Ukrainian drones have also attacked Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure, leading to an unprecedented fuel crisis in a country recognized as one of the world’s top energy producers.
New Ukrainian Defence Minister Aims to Address Funding Shortfall
Yevhen Khmara, Ukraine’s new defence minister, outlined potential strategies for closing the significant funding deficit inherited from his predecessor, including seeking increased contributions from partners.
During his initial briefing with the press since assuming office on Saturday, Khmara discussed the challenges faced by Kyiv’s military efforts amidst mounting financial constraints. His priorities include preventing shortages on the battlefield, ensuring soldiers receive their salaries, and meeting other essential requirements.
Kyiv Deploys Hundreds of Drones into Russia
The Russian Defence Ministry reported on Sunday that its forces had intercepted or neutralized nearly 500 Ukrainian drones launched overnight.
Unverified reports from independent news sources on Russian and Ukrainian Telegram platforms claimed that the drone attacks caused a fire at a major oil refinery in Kirishi, located southeast of St Petersburg. The facility, known as Kirishi Petroleum Organic Synthesis, is a key oil refinery in Russia’s northwest region.
Local governor Alexander Drozdenko confirmed a fire in Kirishi’s industrial zone following the alleged drone strikes, reporting the downing of 62 drones in the surrounding area.
Additional incidents included Russian strikes in Kyiv resulting in casualties, Ukrainian attacks in Russian-occupied eastern Ukraine leading to fatalities, and Ukrainian drone strikes causing injuries in border regions of Russia.
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