The Ukrainian President, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, reported that the death toll resulting from a Russian strike on a warehouse located west of Kyiv, marked as the deadliest attack in the ongoing conflict this year, has now climbed to 38 individuals, with four people still unaccounted for. The strike took place on Friday night at the warehouse, believed to be an ammunition storage facility by Ukrainian authorities, triggering extensive explosions and fires that engulfed numerous nearby residences and structures.
Efforts by emergency personnel to extinguish fires and identify and neutralize explosive devices at the site in the village of Myla are ongoing, as confirmed by Zelenskyy. He mentioned that among the casualties, 20 individuals sustained injuries, including two children.
Addressing the Myla attack, Zelenskyy characterized it as a “terrible situation,” attributing it to “terrible negligence” on the part of those responsible for storing explosives in close proximity to civilians. He announced that an investigation is underway to determine the circumstances leading to the storage of ammunition at the location.
Russia Announces Plans for ‘Massive Strikes’ on Ukraine’s Energy Sector
The Russian Defence Ministry declared its intentions on Sunday to launch “massive strikes” against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure in retaliation for a recent drone campaign by Ukraine targeting a major retailer known as “Russia’s Amazon” and the nation’s oil and gas sector. Kyiv alleges that these sectors provide funding and direct support for Moscow’s invasion of Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov pledged an “appropriate response” to what he described as Ukraine’s “path of escalation,” emphasizing the targeting of Russia’s civilian economy.
In recent months, Ukraine has carried out lethal strikes on the facilities of Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, citing the sale of dual-use goods aiding the Kremlin’s military efforts. Ukrainian drones have also launched attacks on Russian oil refineries and other energy infrastructure, resulting in an unprecedented fuel crisis in one of the world’s leading energy-producing nations.
New Ukrainian Defense Chief Aims to Address Funding Gap
Yevhen Khmara, Ukraine’s newly appointed defense minister, disclosed plans to bridge the substantial funding deficit inherited from his predecessor, including seeking increased contributions from allies. Khmara outlined these strategies during his initial media briefing since assuming office on Saturday, following a period of unrest triggered by the dismissal of Mykhailo Fedorov, ultimately leading to a military restructuring in Kyiv.
Transitioning from a military background to a civilian minister role, Khmara emphasized the importance of preventing shortages on the battlefield while ensuring the welfare of soldiers and meeting essential requirements.
Kyiv Deploys Hundreds of Drones into Russia
Russia’s Defence Ministry reported on Sunday that its forces intercepted or neutralized nearly 500 Ukrainian drones launched during the night. Independent sources on Russian and Ukrainian Telegram platforms alleged that the drone attacks caused a significant fire at a major oil refinery in Kirishi, located southeast of St Petersburg.
Although not officially confirmed, local authorities acknowledged a fire outbreak in Kirishi’s industrial area following the drone strikes, with a total of 62 drones reportedly downed in the vicinity.
In separate incidents, Russian strikes in Kyiv resulted in casualties, including the death of a two-year-old girl and injuries to 12 individuals, as reported by Mayor Vitali Klitschko. Moreover, in eastern Ukraine, a 13-year-old and an adult lost their lives due to bomb strikes by Russian forces in the village of Bilbasovka.
Furthermore, Ukraine conducted a strike on a mine in Russian-controlled eastern Ukraine, leading to the death of a female employee, as confirmed by local official Leonid Pasechnik. The attack left five others injured across the region.
Meanwhile, in retaliation, Ukrainian drone strikes in