SBU officer becomes suspect in Myla ammunition detonation that killed 35 people

The State Bureau of Investigations has announced that the head of one of the SBU’s logistics units is suspected in connection with the detonation of ammunition in the village of Myla near Kyiv, which killed 35 people.

The suspect was responsible for the establishment and operation of an artillery ammunition depot in Myla. According to the SBI, when deciding to place the depot in a former vegetable storage facility, he failed to implement all required safety controls for the storage of explosives and ammunition.

The investigation identified several violations. The depot was illegally located near a residential area, and the facility itself did not meet the requirements for weapons storage. Furthermore, its placement had not been coordinated with law enforcement agencies or air defense units. The SBU officer also failed to take measures to minimize the risk of the enemy destroying a large quantity of ammunition simultaneously.

On August 28, following a drone strike on the depot, the ammunition began to detonate, and the resulting fire spread to neighboring buildings. Thirty-five people were killed. The scale of destruction was significant: 191 private residential homes, 14 apartment buildings, a police station, garages, a restaurant, a nursing home for the elderly, a shop, a logistics center, and 24 vehicles were damaged — including a police service vehicle and a fire truck.

The SBU officer has been charged under the article on military inaction committed under conditions of martial law. The Pechersk District Court of Kyiv ordered him held in custody with the option of posting bail.

Earlier, volunteer Taras Chmut had hinted that the depot belonged to structures close to those in power.