ammunition depot near Kiev catches fire, Ukrainian Prime Minister requests strict handling
According to TASS news agency, Ukrainian Prime Minister Sergey Koretsky confirmed a large fire with many explosions occurring at a ammunition depot near Kiev on August 28 (local time) and requested the handling of those responsible.
Previously, much information about a fire with continuous explosions was recorded in the area near the Zhytomyr highway, in Bucha district, Kiev capital. The incident attracted attention because it occurred at an establishment identified as a ammunition depot, amidst the continued tension of the Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Prime Minister Koretsky described the situation in Kiev province as "serious negligence", and requested law enforcement to respond quickly and strictly.
He also recalled the explosion at a ammunition depot in Vishnevoye, a suburb of Kiev, on July 6. The explosions at this location lasted for 2 days.
The cause of the fire is currently unknown. Ukrainian authorities are continuing to clarify the incident and determine related responsibilities.
US keeps details of CIA Director's visit to Russia secret
In another notable development, TASS quoted European officials as saying that the US did not inform European allies about the details of the recent visit to Moscow by US Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe.
The source said that the US did not share with European allies information about the meeting between Mr. Ratcliffe and Director of Russian Foreign Intelligence Service Sergey Naryshkin. Due to not being notified by Washington, European officials had to rely on private intelligence sources to assess the content of the meeting.
Mr. Ratcliffe arrived in Moscow on August 25 (local time). Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the visit was related to contacts between intelligence agencies of the two countries. Mr. Naryshkin also confirmed that he had met with the CIA Director.
Sources said that in recent months, NATO member countries have discussed strengthening contact with Russia at both intelligence and military levels to reduce the risk of miscalculation or misunderstanding.
NATO reconnaissance aircraft fly for hours over the Black Sea
On the same day, according to TASS, a NATO Bombardier Artemis II reconnaissance aircraft circled over international waters south of the Black Sea for about 8.5 hours.
The plane took off from a base in Constanta, Romania, at about 8:40 am on August 28 (Moscow time) and maintained an altitude of about 12.5km. The plane flew back and forth over the Black Sea in an east-west direction and then returned, without using routes for civil aviation.
Previously, NATO's RQ-4D Phoenix strategic reconnaissance drone also carried out many flights over the southern Black Sea area. The aircraft took off from Sigonella base in Sicily, Italy, operating at an altitude of over 17km and did not enter the airspace of coastal Black Sea countries, except for Bulgaria during its approach to the area.
The flights took place in the context of NATO continuing to maintain regular reconnaissance operations in the Black Sea, with both manned and unmanned aircraft deployed in the area.
