Ukraine probes possible negligence after Russian drone strike kills 37 near Kyiv

Ukrainian authorities have launched an investigation into a Russian drone strike that hit a warehouse in the Bucha district west of Kyiv, triggering a large explosion, a fire that spread to nearby homes and killing at least 37 people. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the probe would examine possible official negligence and emphasized that regulations prohibit storing ammunition near residential areas. > "Those who allowed this to happen must be held accountable for their decisions," he wrote on social media.

Local military administration head Tymur Tkachenko reported that the blast damaged more than 50 residential buildings. Among the dead was Taras Didych, head of the Dmytrivka community, who was involved in rescue efforts. Zelenskyy added that appropriate conclusions would be drawn.

Russia’s Ministry of Defense claimed the strike targeted a warehouse in Myla that stored components and launch boosters for long-range drones, and also mentioned attacks on ports and missile-related facilities elsewhere.

Ukraine’s prosecutor general’s office said a drone struck the grounds of an enterprise in Myla, causing a large fire and subsequent detonation. The investigation will focus on the legality of storing explosive materials at the site and whether the unnamed company had required permits.

Zelenskyy later announced that two officials from state-owned companies, including the arms manufacturer Ukroboronprom, had illegally permitted weapons storage at the Vyshneve site and would be held accountable. Prime Minister Sergiy Koretsky expressed regret that lessons had not been learned from a similar deadly attack on a munitions depot in Vyshneve in July, which had revealed serious failings by a state-owned firm.