Smoke rising following a Russian air attack in Kyiv on August 29, 2026, amid the Russian invasion of Ukraine. [AFP]
At least 27 people have died after a Russian drone struck a warehouse near Kyiv's western suburbs overnight, sparking a huge fire and explosions, authorities said Saturday.
The warehouse appeared to have been storing "explosive objects", Ukrainian prosecutors said, opening an investigation into criminal negligence.
Officials did not give details about the nature of the facility.
Both Russia and Ukraine have intensified long-range strikes on each other in recent months, sparking fires and sending civilian casualties to record levels.
AFP reporters saw a huge column of black smoke pouring over the capital's western suburbs, as officials reported the facility was still on fire.
"Unfortunately, as things stand, 27 people are known to have died. And this figure may not be final," Kyiv region governor Tymur Tkachenko said.