🔴 Russian strike on warehouse near Kyiv kills at least 27 people, hundreds evacuating

At least 37 people were killed in a Russian drone attack on a Kyiv-area ammunition depot, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. This devastating strike is the deadliest Russian attack in the Kyiv area this year, occurring as Russia's air assaults on the Ukrainian capital and surrounding region continue into a third consecutive day.

The attack not only resulted in numerous fatalities but also caused widespread fires and significant damage to nearby infrastructure, including residential buildings and facilities for the elderly and people with disabilities. Among the casualties was the head of a neighboring village who tried to provide assistance. Zelensky condemned the "terrible negligence" involved, vowing to punish those responsible.

This incident follows a similar attack in the town of Vyshneve last month, where 10 people were killed and hundreds of homes were damaged after a strike triggered secondary explosions. Zelensky emphasized that another such instance is "absolutely unacceptable," and criminal cases have already been initiated on charges of official negligence.

Despite Ukraine's rarity in disclosing damage to military targets from Russian attacks, the Defence Ministry stated that weapons storage locations should undergo a thorough audit. Nine other regions suffered strikes overnight, with Kyiv bearing the brunt of a nearly non-stop attack from jet-powered drones. Russia has intensified its air war against Ukraine, utilizing more elusive ballistic missiles and advanced high-speed drones that Ukraine's air defenses struggle to counter.

Sirens blared across Kyiv for three consecutive days as the city's air force issued warnings of incoming drone waves. Kyiv region governor Tymur Tkachenko reported that a 14-year-old girl was killed in a drone strike on the Boryspil district, while Mayor Vitali Klitschko confirmed a 2-year-old girl died when a downed drone crashed.

The relentless strikes in and around Kyiv have damaged residential buildings and retail facilities, part of what officials allege is a campaign targeting the city's ability to function as a hub of several million inhabitants.