Emergency rescue operations in Kyiv region are ongoing: four people are still missing, and physical evidence has been sent for forensic analysis, - Vyhivskyi. VIDEO

Ukraine’s Minister of Internal Affairs, Ivan Vyhivskyi, has stated that emergency rescue operations and urgent investigative measures are ongoing in the Kyiv region.

This was reported by Censor.NET, citing the minister’s Telegram channel and the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ press centre.

Physical evidence has been sent for examination

The minister noted that police officers, together with representatives of the Security Service of Ukraine (SSU) and the Office of the Prosecutor General, are establishing all the details, and most importantly – why the ammunition depot was located amongst ordinary residential buildings. Around 40 people – victims and witnesses – have already been interviewed. Physical evidence has been sent for forensic analysis.

"Since this morning, I have been working at the scene of the tragedy alongside the Prime Minister of Ukraine, Serhii Koretskyi. I am regularly reporting to the President of Ukraine on the progress of the clean-up operations following the Russian strike and the investigation into the criminal case concerning professional negligence," emphasised Vyhivskyi.

Victims of the attack

He noted that, according to the latest data:

Unfortunately, 37 people are known to have died. The identities of many of them are still being established.
In addition, four people are considered missing – police and rescue workers are continuing their search.
Around 130 houses on several streets were damaged as a result of the Russian strike and the subsequent detonation of ammunition.

Work is ongoing

Rescue workers are still extinguishing pockets of fire. Around 400 residents were swiftly evacuated during the night; it is still dangerous to be near the scene. Also during the night, police and State Emergency Service personnel rescued more than 10 people who were in basements and unable to get out on their own.

"State Emergency Service and police tents have been set up in the community – people can receive assistance there, including psychological support. Mobile units from the Ministry of Internal Affairs’ service centre and the Migration Service are operating, helping people to replace their documents. Patrol officers have already partially restored traffic on the Kyiv–Zhytomyr motorway," added the Minister of Internal Affairs.

What led up to it

It was previously reported that on the evening of 28 August, a warehouse caught fire following an enemy attack in the Bucha district. The fire was accompanied by explosions. Emergency services are working at the scene.
Prior to this, Oleksii Biloshitski, head of the Patrol Police Department, reported that traffic had been closed to all vehicles on the M-06 Kyiv–Chop motorway in the Kyiv region. The restrictions are in place from the 15th to the 32nd kilometre in both directions.
Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi stated that the Minister of Internal Affairs and the Head of the State Emergency Service had reported on an enemy strike in the Bucha district of the Kyiv region, where a fire broke out following the strike, leading to subsequent explosions. He said that the horrific tragedy in Vyshneve had not served as a lesson.
The Office of the Prosecutor General has launched an investigation into allegations of waging an aggressive war and possible official negligence in connection with the consequences of the enemy attack in the Bucha district of the Kyiv region.
As of 11.30 on 29 August, 37 people are known to have died and over 40 have been injured. Around 50 houses have been damaged.
In addition, it was reported that Taras Didych, the head of the Dmytrivka community, had been killed.