At least 27 people were killed and 42 others injured in an overnight Russian drone attack targeting a warehouse storing munitions in the Bucha district, west of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, officials announced Saturday.

Kyiv regional governor Tymur Tkachenko stated that the death toll was preliminary and could still rise. Among the fatalities was Taras Didych, the mayor of the village of Dmytrivska. The attack, which occurred on August 29, 2026, caused a massive fire and a series of explosions.

Tkachenko reported that the drone strike hit a warehouse in the village of Myla, which contained "explosive objects." The resulting fire spread to nearby residential buildings, a restaurant, and over 50 homes were damaged. Authorities confirmed that over 380 people were evacuated from the affected area.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed the strike, stating it was "followed by a detonation." He emphasized that regulations prohibit the storage of ammunition near residential areas and announced that criminal proceedings would be initiated. Ukrainian prosecutors have launched an investigation into potential criminal negligence concerning the legality of storing explosive materials at the site.

This incident underscores a recent escalation in long-range strikes by both Russia and Ukraine, which have led to an increase in civilian casualties and property damage. The warehouse was reportedly operated by an unnamed company, which is now under scrutiny for its storage practices and adherence to safety permits.

Prime Minister Sergii Koretskyi expressed concern that a "lesson" had not been learned following a similar deadly attack on a munitions depot in Vyshneve, near Kyiv, in July. An investigation into that incident had revealed significant shortcomings on the part of the responsible staff.

The nature of the "explosive objects" stored in the warehouse has not been fully detailed, but the scale of the explosions and subsequent fire suggests a significant quantity of volatile material was present. The investigation will aim to determine how such materials were stored and whether proper safety protocols were followed.

Officials are continuing to assess the full extent of the damage and the final casualty count. The focus remains on the ongoing investigation into the company responsible for the warehouse and its compliance with regulations governing the storage of potentially dangerous materials, especially in proximity to populated areas.