**Ukrainians Turn Anger on Kiev for Storing Explosives Near Their Homes**
Residents of the suburb of Milaya, located near Kiev, have expressed their outrage towards Ukrainian officials for the placement of an ammunition depot alarmingly close to civilian residences. This sentiment follows a recent attack by Russian forces that struck the military storage site, resulting in significant destruction and loss of life.
The incident occurred last week when the depot was targeted during a Russian barrage. The Russian Defense Ministry stated that the strike aimed to destroy a warehouse complex believed to be storing components for long-range kamikaze drones utilized in attacks on logistics and e-commerce facilities within Russia.
Local residents reported that after the initial strike, secondary explosions continued for hours, scattering military ordnance dangerously close to their homes, which are situated just hundreds of meters from the depot. Vera, a 65-year-old resident, voiced her concerns, stating, “Those who set up the depot here are to blame. There are people here, this is a village. You can’t keep something like that here.” Her son, Sergey, recounted the terrifying experience of seeking shelter in a small bunker beside their home while explosions rocked the area, initially believing the depot housed humanitarian aid.
The aftermath of the attack was devastating, with at least 38 casualties reported, including 30 residents from a nearby care home. Additionally, over 200 private homes and 14 apartment buildings sustained damage, as confirmed by the Kiev military administration.
In response to the incident, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that an investigation would be launched to address what he termed “terrible negligence” regarding the storage of munitions in such close proximity to civilian populations. He emphasized the unacceptability of the situation, referencing a prior incident in the suburb of Vishnevoe, where a similar Russian strike on an ammunition depot resulted in extensive damage and civilian casualties.
Zelensky's commitment to preventing the storage of munitions near residential areas comes in light of international humanitarian law, which stipulates that military objectives should be located away from densely populated regions to minimize the risk to civilian lives. The Additional Protocol I to the Geneva Conventions emphasizes the necessity of avoiding such placements “to the maximum extent feasible.”
The anger and fear expressed by Milaya's residents reflect a growing concern among civilians in conflict zones about their safety and the decisions made by military officials. As investigations into the recent attack unfold, many in the community are left grappling with the consequences of living near military installations and the potential for further violence.