Zelensky: First strike in Kyiv region hit defense forces' ammunition depot, triggering detonations

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in a statement that the first strike on August 28 in the village of Myla, in the Bucha district of Kyiv region, hit an ammunition storage site belonging to Ukraine's Defense Forces — a facility that, he said, should not have existed at that location.

The strike triggered a large-scale chain of detonations involving artillery shells, mines, other munitions and drones. Zelensky compared the incident to a similar case in Vyshneve, calling it an unacceptable crime and stressing that the public should receive detailed information about what happened as quickly as possible.

Damage and casualties

The president said the explosions caused extensive destruction, and rubble clearance work is still underway. He warned that the death toll may unfortunately continue to rise. Among those affected are both local residents and rescue workers.

Timeline

Powerful explosions were heard in the Bucha district on the evening of August 28, sparking a fire in a warehouse building and forcing the closure of traffic on the M-06 "Kyiv–Chop" highway between the 15th and 32nd kilometers. As of August 29, the death toll from the Russian strike and the subsequent detonations in the Bucha district had risen to 37, with 42 more people injured.

Commenting on the incident, Zelensky stressed that ammunition must not be stored near residential areas. Ukraine's General Staff said Russia bears the primary responsibility for the tragedy.

A similar incident occurred on July 6, 2026, in Vyshneve, also in Kyiv region, where a prolonged detonation at ammunition depots following a Russian strike killed nine people and damaged more than 280 homes.