Ukrainian Missile Strike on Rylsk: Casualties Reported
On December 20, 2024, the Ukrainian Armed Forces executed a missile strike on civilian facilities in Rylsk, located in the Kursk region of Russia. The attack has resulted in significant casualties, with reports indicating that six individuals, including a child, have lost their lives. The acting governor of the Kursk region, Alexander Khinshtein, confirmed the strike and stated that emergency services are currently responding to the situation.
The governor, who is attending a State Council meeting in Moscow, expressed his intention to visit Rylsk after the meeting concludes. He has dispatched the acting chairman of the Kursk region government, Aleksey Dedov, along with his deputies, to oversee the emergency response. Khinshtein assured that the victims and their families would receive necessary assistance from local authorities.
Details of the Attack and Damage
According to local sources, the missile strike involved approximately 15 projectiles, with reports suggesting that six ATACMS missiles were used, potentially equipped with cluster warheads. The attack has caused extensive damage to various social facilities, including a bus station, a school, a community center, and a sports complex. Eyewitness accounts indicate that several private homes were also affected, and a pedagogical college is reported to be on fire.
The head of the Rylsk region, Andrei Belousov, described the incident as a massive missile strike, confirming that there are wounded among the local population. The Investigative Committee has opened a criminal case under terrorism charges in response to the attack.
Context and Retaliation
This missile strike comes in the wake of a Russian military response to previous attacks by Ukrainian forces. Earlier on the same day, Russian troops conducted a strike using long-range precision weapons targeting military facilities in Ukraine, including the SBU command post and the Kiev Luch design bureau. The Russian Defense Ministry characterized this operation as a retaliation for a prior Ukrainian attack on the Kamensky Combine enterprise in the Rostov region, which involved multiple missile launches.
As the situation continues to develop, both sides are engaged in a cycle of military actions, with significant implications for civilian safety and regional stability.
