Archive · 30 Aug 2026
Russia Threatens Massive Strikes After Deadly Kyiv Depot Blast
Russia says it may launch very large attacks against Ukraine’s energy system.
It says this would be a response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian and energy facilities.
A Russian attack near Kyiv hit a depot that reportedly held ammunition, drones and explosives.
The explosion caused fires and more blasts.
Ukraine’s president said 38 people died, 20 were hurt and four were still missing.
Emergency workers put out most of the fires.
Bomb disposal teams continued checking the area for danger.
Ukrainian officials are investigating whether the weapons were stored there because of criminal negligence.
Russia also said it struck facilities in Kyiv that it claimed were linked to explosives, drones and munitions.
Russia said it was preparing large-scale strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
Moscow described the planned attacks as retaliation for Ukrainian strikes on Russian civilian and energy facilities.
A Russian strike on an ammunition depot near Kyiv killed 38 people, injured 20 and left four missing, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.
The depot near Myla reportedly stored ammunition, drones and explosives; fires were largely extinguished and bomb disposal work continued.
Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched at least two missiles and 267 drones between late Friday and early Saturday.
- Who
- Russia, Ukraine, Russian forces, Ukrainian authorities and President Volodymyr Zelensky.
- What
- Russia warned of massive strikes on Ukraine’s energy sector after a deadly strike on an ammunition depot near Kyiv.
- When
- The warning was issued on Sunday after the depot blast on Saturday; Ukraine reported the missile and drone attacks occurred from late Friday into early Saturday.
- Where
- The ammunition depot was near Myla, outside Kyiv, while the threatened targets are in Ukraine’s energy sector.
- Why
- Russia said its planned strikes would retaliate for ongoing Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure and oil and energy facilities.
Russia’s stated justification
Ukraine’s concerns and response
Reason for further strikes
Russia’s stated justification
Russia said large-scale attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure would be a tit-for-tat response to Ukrainian attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure and energy facilities.
Ukraine’s concerns and response
Ukraine has not endorsed Russia’s justification in the article; the reported escalation has contributed to civilian casualties and risks further damage to critical infrastructure.
Ammunition depot blast
Russia’s stated justification
Russia said it struck a facility near Kyiv and claimed warehouses at a Kyiv plant were being used to store explosives.
Ukraine’s concerns and response
Ukraine reported 38 deaths, 20 injuries and four missing people after the depot explosion, and officials expressed concern about storing weapons and explosives near residential areas.
Accountability for the depot
Russia’s stated justification
Russia presented the attack as part of its military strikes against Ukrainian military-related facilities.
Ukraine’s concerns and response
Ukrainian prosecutors launched an investigation into possible criminal negligence connected to the storage of weapons and explosives.
- Reported deaths
- 38 people, according to Volodymyr Zelensky.
- Other casualties
- 20 people were injured and four remained missing.
- Depot contents
- The facility reportedly stored ammunition, drones and explosives.
- Russian warning
- Russia said it had begun preparing massive strikes against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure.
- Reported Ukrainian attacks
- Russia cited attacks on Russian civilian infrastructure and oil and energy facilities as justification.
- Russian attack volume
- Ukraine’s Air Force said Russia launched at least two missiles and 267 drones between late Friday and early Saturday.
- Investigation
- Ukrainian prosecutors opened an investigation into possible criminal negligence over the depot blast.