Aftermath of the recent missile strike by Ukrainian forces has left the city of Rylsk, located in Kursk Oblast, grappling with significant destruction and loss. According to Alexander Hinshtein, the acting governor of the region, emergency operations were swiftly implemented following the attack. "I personally visited Rylsk to verify the work of the operational headquarters and witness the completion of priority restoration efforts," he reported, adding, "All rubble has been cleared, streets have been cleaned, and the craters caused by missile strikes have been filled with sand. Gas and heating have been supplied to all homes."
The attack, which took place on the evening of Friday, resulted in the tragic death of five individuals and injured 14 others. The Ukrainian forces targeted social infrastructure and residential areas with ammunition supplied by the United States, including the HIMARS rocket system. Among the buildings struck were homes, cultural venues, and even places of worship, raising concerns over the comprehensive damage inflicted upon the community.
Hinshtein has noted the requirement for extensive restoration work as the city's infrastructure has suffered dramatically due to the strike. Among the damaged buildings, three—two of which are recognized as cultural heritage sites—are deemed beyond repair. "We cannot mechanically restore destroyed structures. We simply won’t be able to accommodate either the school or the college as before; new construction will have to meet strict safety and health regulations, far exceeding our previous standards," he explained.
The governor emphasized the importance of maintaining the historic appearance of the buildings within the city. While new structures are to meet modern standards, they should be complementary to the historical environment of Rylsk.
Compounding the tragedy, it was reported by local officials following inspections, 17 cultural heritage sites sustained varying degrees of damage during the bombardment. Among them, four are of federal significance, including the Trading Rows, Voivode Shemyaki's House, the Church of the Intercession, and the Church of the Assumption. Other affected regional landmarks include sections of the aviation college and the Church of the Ascension, alongside historic residential properties.
The Ministry for the Protection of Cultural Heritage within the region has compiled information about the damage and destruction of cultural heritage sites, which has been submitted for review by the Investigative Committee of Russia and the Ministry of Culture of the Russian Federation. Each report serves to catalog the losses faced by communities and the invaluable history of the structures targeted during the bombardment.
This event exemplifies the severe consequences of the conflict, highlighting the delicate balance between military objectives and the preservation of cultural heritage. With the investigatory actions already underway, the local and federal authorities are faced with the challenging road to recovery, not only for the human cost but also for the irreplaceable parts of Rylsk’s cultural identity.
