In the Bucha district of the Kyiv region, on the morning of 29 August, following a fresh Russian attack, a major fire broke out at a warehouse where car tyres were believed to have been stored. Black smoke rose above the area, and the emergency services are working at the scene. Details regarding the extent of the fire, the damage caused and any possible casualties are being clarified.
Briefly about the main points
- Following the morning attack, a warehouse where car tyres were stored caught fire.
- Residents are advised to stay away from the area of the fire and to keep their windows closed if smoke is present.
- In Mila, a night-time attack caused a fire and a prolonged series of explosions.
- The authorities have confirmed the deaths; the number of victims is still being determined.
- More than 200 people were evacuated from the danger zone following the night-time explosions.
Smoke from the fire can be seen rising above the area
Footage from the scene shows a tall column of thick black smoke. As the burning of tyres may release combustion products into the air, residents are advised not to remain near the fire unless necessary and to close their windows if the smoke is drifting towards residential areas.
According to open-source data available at the time of the initial reports, the monitoring stations did not record any significant overall deterioration in air quality. Readings may vary depending on wind direction and the intensity of the fire.
A prolonged explosion occurred in Mila the day before
At around 8.10 pm on 28 August, a Russian drone crashed or struck the premises of a business in the village of Mila. Investigators are determining the type of UAV.
After the impact, there was large-scale A fire involving the prolonged detonation of explosive materials. The explosions continued for a long time, and the fire spread to the surrounding area, including residential buildings.
The number of casualties from the night-time attack is still being determined
Head of the Kyiv Regional Military Administration Timur Tkachenko Overnight, it was reported that people had been killed as a result of the attack and the subsequent explosion. Rescue and other operations at the scene are ongoing, so the authorities have not yet given a final death toll.
It had previously been officially confirmed that there were at least six casualties. Reports circulating online of 27 fatalities have not been confirmed by the Kyiv Regional State Administration, the Office of the Prosecutor General or the State Emergency Service.
More than 200 people were evacuated from the danger zone following the explosions
Due to the risk of further explosions, the authorities evacuated more than 200 people, including children, from the scene. Initially, 165 people were reported to have been evacuated, but this figure later rose.
An emergency response centre was set up at the scene. Rescue workers were operating amid the risk of further explosions and new attacks.
The Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the storage of hazardous materials
The Office of the Prosecutor General is investigating the circumstances surrounding the Russian strike on a facility in Mila and is examining the legality of the storage of explosive objects and materials there. Investigators are also looking into possible professional negligence, the actions of the officials responsible, the list of substances involved and whether the necessary permits were in place.
The Bucha district has been under attack for several days. On 28 August, rescue workers were operating at several damaged warehouses, and at one of the sites, a Russian drone struck again whilst the State Emergency Service were carrying out their work.
