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Five killed, many wounded in Ukrainian strikes on Russia using US-made HIMARS
Ukraine launched a missile attack on Rylsk in Russia’s Kursk Region on Friday, killing five people and injuring twelve others, acting governor of the region Aleksandr Khinshtein has said. The official added that Kiev has used US-made HIMARS missiles.
The strikes caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure throughout the city, damaging a a house of culture, a primary school, and living and study quarters belonging to Rylsk Aviation College. The attack also shattered windows in apartment buildings and impacted several private homes as well as 15 or more vehicles.
Initial reports suggested that at least one child was among the casualties, but in the latest update on Saturday morning, Khinshtein clarified the death toll, stating that five adults, but no minors, lost their lives in the attack.
“What happened today is a huge tragedy for all of us,” Khinshtein wrote in a Telegram post.
The work of emergency services has been complicated by repeated attacks from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the governor added.
He expressed confidence that those responsible for the attack would face retribution and that all destroyed infrastructure will be repaired.
In a short video message posted on his Telegram channel on Friday, Khinshtein accused Kiev’s forces of “deliberately choosing civilian facilities [and] social facilities as their targets”.
Several Russian Telegram channels and media outlets have published what appears to be footage of the aftermath of the attack shot by eyewitnesses. In some of these video clips, several burning cars and damaged buildings can be seen.
Rylsk is located about 30 kilometers from the Ukrainian border and has a population of around 15,000.
Ukrainian forces invaded Kursk Region on August 6, with a force reportedly of some 35,000 troops. The area they control has been steadily shrinking in recent months, but they still maintain a presence in some parts of the region.
IFP NEWS