At least 27 killed in drone strike near Bucha as depot fire triggers explosions

At least 27 people were killed and 42 wounded when a Russian strike hit the Bucha district of Kyiv region, authorities said; among the injured are four children. Rescuers evacuated 381 people and roughly 50 houses were damaged in the attack near the village of Mila.

The strike took place overnight when a Russian drone struck a company facility in Mila. The initial impact ignited a large fire and set off powerful secondary detonations as stored material on the site exploded, witnesses and emergency services reported.

The blaze spread to nearby residential buildings, forcing emergency crews to battle flames amid repeated detonations. Part of the Kyiv–Chop highway was temporarily closed to allow rescue teams to work and to evacuate residents from surrounding settlements. Videos circulating on social media show a huge fireball and a rising column of smoke visible from many parts of the area.

Prosecutors open probe into attack and possible negligence

The Ukrainian State Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation not only into the Russian strike itself but also into possible official negligence linked to how explosive items and materials were stored at the company site. Investigators said they will examine whether the explosives were legally placed and stored, whether required permits existed, and which officials authorised those decisions.

Prime Minister Sergej Koretski called the case "criminal negligence" and demanded that those responsible be punished. "Making the same mistakes in the fifth year of the full-scale invasion is criminal negligence. All those guilty, without exception, must be strictly punished so that such situations are not repeated," he said.

Ukraine's Air Forces reported that during the night Russia launched 267 drones, one Oniks anti-ship missile and one Iskander ballistic missile. Ukrainian air-defence units said they had shot down or electronically neutralised 233 drones by morning.

In separate strikes, Russian drones hit targets near Kherson, killing one man and injuring a 44-year-old person; two people were also wounded in the Sviatoshyn district of Kyiv. Emergency services continue work at the site in Bucha district as investigators and rescuers assess casualties and damage.

Photo: Printskrin