Almost 40 killed in Russian attack on Kyiv region

Almost 40 people have been killed in a Russian attack on the Bucha district near Kyiv, according to reports from local officials. At least 37 fatalities have been confirmed so far, with damage to over 50 residential buildings and a major fire breaking out following the strike. The incident occurred on Saturday and marked another escalation in the ongoing conflict. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy stated that a warehouse in the village of Myla was struck, leading to a detonation. He emphasized that criminal proceedings would be initiated against those responsible for the negligence in storing ammunition near residential areas. Zelenskiy noted that a care home for the elderly and individuals with disabilities, along with several residential buildings, were affected by the attack. More than 370 people have been evacuated from the area, with the process still continuing. According to the Russian Ministry of Defence, the strike targeted a warehouse containing components and launch boosters for long-range drones. In addition, Russia claimed to have attacked the ports of Mykolaiv and Izmail, as well as a logistics center and warehouse facilities storing parts for Ukraine’s Flamingo cruise missiles in the Kyiv region. The attacks have continued unabated, with almost constant air raids in Kyiv reaching their third day. These assaults have significantly impacted the economy and disrupted civilian life in the Ukrainian capital. Elsewhere, in the southern Kherson region, Russian attacks resulted in two deaths and 27 injuries. Local official Oleksandr Prokudin mentioned that these attacks caused damage to homes and apartment blocks, with one child among the injured. Ukraine has received intelligence suggesting that Russia might be preparing for a potential new ground offensive towards Kyiv and Chernihiv in the northern part of the country. Despite this, there are currently no clear signs or specific dates indicating that Russian forces are assembling near Ukraine’s northern borders. Deputy head of Ukraine’s presidential office, Pavlo Palisa, expressed concern about the possibility of such an offensive and stressed the importance of preventing any Russian advances. Russian forces have continued their drone attacks on the Kyiv region, targeting multiple apartment buildings and storage depots for a second consecutive day. Officials reported that prolonged air raids in Kyiv lasted nearly 15 hours, effectively locking down the city and causing economic disruption. This situation is becoming increasingly common in regions closer to the front lines, where longer alerts are a regular occurrence. Russian drone and missile attacks are also focusing on the power grid, as Ukrainian officials believe this is part of an annual strategy aimed at "weaponising winter." In the Kherson region, glide bombs previously forced a combined heat and power plant to shut down, prompting officials to warn residents about the likelihood of extended power and heating outages during the upcoming winter. They advised people living in the area to consider relocating to safer regions if possible. According to Tymur Tkachenko, head of the Kyiv regional military administration, recent strikes have damaged 14 warehouses, 16 private houses, three apartment buildings, and 16 vehicles. A second drone attack occurred at a location where emergency crews had already responded, resulting in what the military refers to as a "double tap" targeting first responders. The attacks reportedly killed one person and injured two others, though these figures remain unconfirmed. The Russian Defence Ministry claimed that its forces struck a warehouse in the Kyiv region storing Ukraine’s Flamingo cruise missiles and fuel for rocket boosters. However, Ukrainian officials have yet to confirm this claim, and verification efforts by The Associated Press have not yielded confirmation either. Recent strikes have also damaged numerous warehouses across Kyiv and surrounding areas, including facilities storing books, food, and other consumer goods. As the attacks continue, Kyiv region authorities have urged residents to stay in safe locations and pay attention to air raid alerts. According to Andrii Kovalenko, head of Ukraine’s Centre for Countering Disinformation at the National Security and Defence Council, Russia is employing small numbers of fast-moving jet-powered drones in waves to overwhelm air defenses and exhaust the population. He described the tactic as an attempt to wear down both the defense systems and civilians. Air quality has deteriorated in some areas due to the attacks, prompting warnings for residents to keep windows closed and minimize outdoor exposure. In the northern Sumy region, four Russian glide bombs destroyed a sorting center belonging to the postal service Nova Poshta, while a drone damaged one of its depots in the Kyiv region. The company reported these incidents, highlighting the growing threat posed by Russian attacks on critical infrastructure. In the Kherson region, where approximately 70% of the territory is under Russian control, officials have called for tens of thousands of residents to relocate to safer areas due to the risk of prolonged power and heating outages this winter. Head of the Kherson regional military administration, Oleksandr Prokudin, warned that the region may face extended periods without electricity and heat, urging residents to prepare accordingly. He outlined plans to assist those considering relocation through evacuation, transportation, resettlement, and social support services. Ukraine’s Ministry of Economy has revised its GDP growth forecast for 2026 downward, acknowledging the impact of ongoing Russian attacks on the country’s economic outlook. As the conflict continues, the focus remains on mitigating the effects of these attacks on both civilian populations and essential infrastructure.