KYIV — Ukraine has launched a criminal investigation following the large-scale detonation at an ammunition depot in Vyshneve in Kyiv region during a Russian attack earlier this week, President Volodymyr Zelensky told journalists on Thursday.
Vyshneve, a small town on the western outskirts of Kyiv, endured a night of terror on July 6 when it came under Russian drone and missile fire. The attack struck an unidentified warehouse, triggering secondary explosions.
Ukrainian officials said 10 people were killed and 29 others suffered injuries in Vyshneve while hundreds of houses were damaged.
Zelensky revealed that the facility was an ammunition depot belonging to the Ukrainian defense conglomerate Ukroboronprom, the country's largest weapons manufacturer.
“As for the investigation into the explosion in Vyshneve, the situation is absolutely appalling: There was an ammunition depot in Vyshneve. The enemy struck this depot, causing a large number of casualties and significant losses,” Zelensky told reporters in a WhatsApp media chat.
Ukrainian officials rarely disclose any damage to military targets following Russian attacks.
Zelensky said a criminal case had been opened, and officials at the state weapons producer Ukroboronprom, which owned the warehouse, would be held responsible and some of them dismissed.
The episode sparked public outcry, with residents claiming negligence and lack of information.
