Rylsk, Kursk Oblast, continues to grapple with the devastating aftermath of the massive missile strike attributed to the Ukrainian armed forces (UAF). Efforts are underway to assess the damage and restore normalcy, with representatives from the Ministry of Cultural Heritage Protection of the Kursk region actively engaged on-site.
According to Konstantin Polyakov, the acting deputy governor, the attack resulted in significant damage across numerous cultural heritage sites. He stated, "A total of 17 such sites have been identified as damaged, four of which hold federal significance: the Trading Rows, the House of the Voivode Shemyaki, the Church of the Intercession, and the Church of the Assumption." Other affected regional properties include the buildings of the aviation college, the Church of the Ascension, and several historic residential homes.
The Ministry has prepared detailed information pertaining to the damage inflicted on cultural heritage properties as stipulated under article 243 of the Criminal Code of the Russian Federation, which will be sent to the Investigative Committee of Russia and the Ministry of Culture.
On December 20, after multiple missile strikes hit Rylsk, volunteers from the Young Guard of United Russia rushed to the scene. They have been active not only in clearing debris but also assisting local authorities and emergency services. Alexander Sidenkov, the head of the volunteer center, reported, "Immediately after the shelling, we went to Rylsk to help the injured and transported several people to the hospital." Volunteers are also facilitating the evacuation of elderly residents to temporary relocation points and delivering humanitarian aid to affected individuals.
Despite earlier reports of casualties varying, acting governor Alexander Khinshtein confirmed, "The accurate number of fatalities from the attack is five, not six as previously stated." The regional government is committed to providing comprehensive support to the families of victims.
Contrary to some online rumors about the damage to children's healthcare facilities, Khinshtein reassured, "There is no standalone children's hospital; all young patients receive treatment at the Rylsk Central District Hospital, which fortunately was spared from missile strikes." He emphasized the importance of relying on verified information and discouraged the public from engaging with rumors or provocation.
Further evaluations revealed the destruction of 12 buildings as the aftermath of the attack. While heating has been restored across most affected homes—specifically 86 out of 88—efforts are still being made to fully address gas supply disruptions. Khinshtein reported, "Among the damaged buildings are three social infrastructure facilities, including the House of Culture and educational institutions, which are beyond repair." This attack has also resulted in severe disruptions to residential structures and public amenities.
Families of those who lost their lives due to the strikes will receive financial compensation amounting to 1.5 million rubles. Injured victims will receive support between 300,000 to 600,000 rubles, depending on their injuries. According to Khinshtein, "An operational headquarters has been established to work around the clock for those affected." They have also instituted a hotline to provide immediate assistance.
Following the strike on Rylsk, the regional government prioritized the restoration of heating and gas services, with Khinshtein confirming total restoration of utilities by December 21. He noted, "Special teams, including those urgently dispatched from Kursk, are working to complete the necessary repairs and restoration." Additional measures include compensations for lost property and immediate actions to secure vulnerable areas impacted by the shelling.
The repercussions of the attack extend beyond structural damage, impacting the psyche of the Rylsk community. The incident has prompted both local and federal authorities to respond swiftly, with discussions about necessary rebuilding efforts already underway. Khinshtein indicated, "We will provide the federal center with preliminary estimates of the financial support required for recovery and reconstruction by Monday."
This incident has drawn international attention, with Russia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs indicating plans to raise the issue of the attacks on Rylsk during United Nations Security Council meetings. Maria Zakharova, representing the ministry, stated, "We will bring to light the reality of these strikes as part of discussions about the wider narrative surrounding the conflict."
While recovery efforts are ramping up, Rylsk's ordeal highlights the pressing need for systematic oversight of civilian safety and cultural heritage preservation amid this persistent conflict. The local government’s and community’s resilience continues to be tested as they navigate the complex aftermath of such devastation.
