During the night of August 29, the aftermath of a large-scale fire that broke out on August 28 following a Russian drone strike on warehouse facilities in Mila village, Bucha district of Kyiv Oblast, is still being dealt with. According to official data, the attack and the subsequent detonation killed 27 people, dozens were injured, and the fire damaged private residential houses and a sanatorium for elderly people and people with disabilities. An operational headquarters is working on site, and a mass evacuation of the population is underway.

Circumstances of the attack

According to emergency services, at around 20:10 on August 28, a large-scale fire broke out on the territory of an enterprise in Mila village as a result of an attack by an unmanned aerial vehicle (type being determined), which turned into a series of explosions. The fire quickly spread to neighboring buildings, including private houses and a food establishment. During the night, fires in five houses and a food establishment were extinguished, after which an organized evacuation of residents began. President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed that the aftermath of the strike on the warehouse, which caused a detonation, has been being dealt with since the evening.

Casualties and destruction

Among the 27 killed is Taras Didych, the head of the Dmytriivka community, who, according to reports, was saving people at the moment of the tragedy. Dozens of people sustained injuries of varying severity. Significant damage was done to infrastructure: residential houses and a sanatorium for elderly people and people with disabilities were damaged. The full extent of the damage and the final list of those affected are being clarified.

Evacuation and the work of the services

More than 370 people have been evacuated from the incident zone, and this work is ongoing. An operational headquarters has been set up on site and all necessary services have been deployed, including more than 300 workers of the State Emergency Service. A temporary restriction has been introduced on the M-06 "Kyiv – Chop" highway between the 15th and 32nd km; traffic on this section is now being partially restored. Drivers are asked to take into account the changes in traffic organization and to follow the instructions of the patrol officers, while residents are asked not to approach the scene of the incident and to stay in shelters.

Investigation and criminal cases

Investigators of the National Police and the SBU are conducting a pre-trial investigation. Under the procedural supervision of the Office of the Prosecutor General, a criminal case has been opened on the fact of waging an aggressive war (Article 437 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine) and on suspicion of negligence in office (Article 367 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine). As part of the check, the legality of the placement and storage of explosive items and materials at the enterprise next to residential development is being established, as well as the presence of the corresponding permits and the actions of officials that may have aggravated the consequences of the attack.

Open questions and a day of mourning

The type of drone used and the exact causes that aggravated the consequences of the explosions are still being established by the investigation, so some details of the incident remain open. In a sign of mourning and in memory of the victims, August 30, 2026 has been declared a Day of Mourning in Kyiv Oblast: the State flags of Ukraine have been lowered across the region, the operation of entertainment venues has been restricted, and residents are urged to refrain from playing loud music. The regional administration expressed its condolences to the families of the victims.