Kathmandu— A Russian strike on an arms depot in the village of Myla, near Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, has resulted in at least 38 deaths and 20 injuries, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced Sunday. Emergency workers are still working to extinguish fires and clear unexploded ordnance at the site, where four people remain missing. The attack, which occurred Saturday, is the deadliest single incident of the war in Ukraine so far this year, raising questions about safety protocols for arms storage near residential areas and prompting a criminal investigation by Ukrainian prosecutors.

Deadly Aftermath and Investigation

President Zelenskyy detailed the ongoing emergency response efforts via Telegram on Sunday, noting that bomb disposal teams were working alongside firefighters to secure the area. The strike represents a significant loss of life in a single incident during the nearly 19-month long conflict. Ukrainian prosecutors have launched an investigation into potential criminal negligence related to the storage of munitions near populated areas, suggesting concerns over safety protocols.

Escalating Russian Threats

Alongside the aftermath of the strike, Russia’s Ministry of Defence issued a warning that its forces are preparing “massive strikes” against Ukraine’s energy infrastructure. This announcement follows Ukrainian drone attacks targeting Wildberries, a major Russian online retailer, and the country's oil and gas sector. Kyiv maintains these strikes aim to disrupt funding and fuel for Moscow’s war effort.

Recent Ukrainian Counterstrikes

The Ukrainian military reported launching overnight attacks on targets within Russia itself, including an oil refinery in the Leningrad region and a military base in Krasnodar. Separately, a mine in the Russian-controlled Luhansk region of eastern Ukraine was struck, resulting in one fatality according to Moscow-installed Governor Leonid Pasechnik.

Stalled Peace Efforts

Diplomatic efforts led by the United States to end Europe’s deadliest conflict since World War II remain stalled. Russia has demanded significant territorial and political concessions from Ukraine, which Kyiv considers unacceptable terms amounting to surrender.

Efforts to de-escalate the conflict continue to be hampered by uncompromising positions on both sides, with Ukrainian officials bracing for a potentially challenging winter as Russia threatens further attacks on critical infrastructure.

(With inputs from Al Jazeera)

Originally published on abcnews.com.np.