Ukrainian authorities reported that Moscow has launched a new assault on Kyiv. Reuters


December 21, 2024 Tags:

In a deadly escalation of the ongoing conflict, Russian officials confirmed that five people were killed in an attack on the town of Rylsk, located in the western Kursk region. The attack, which occurred on Friday afternoon, also left nine others injured and caused significant damage to local infrastructure. Acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein reported that the strike damaged a cultural center, a fitness complex, a school, and several homes.
The attack happened around 15:30 local time (12:30 GMT), with initial reports stating that six people, including a child, had died. However, Khinshtein updated the death toll to five, clarifying that no children were among the victims. The town of Rylsk lies just 25 km from the Ukrainian border, and Ukrainian forces have maintained a presence in parts of the Kursk region since launching a surprise cross-border offensive in August.

Meanwhile, in Ukraine’s capital Kyiv, Ukrainian officials reported that Russia had launched another missile attack on the city, targeting buildings that house several foreign embassies. The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry confirmed that diplomatic missions from Albania, Argentina, North Macedonia, Palestine, Portugal, and Montenegro were affected by the strike, though it remains unclear if these embassies were directly targeted.

The missile strike in Kyiv killed at least one person and injured nine others. Ukrainian authorities said the attack caused damage to multiple buildings, including residential structures. One of the worst-hit locations was St. Nicholas Cathedral, a Roman Catholic church in Kyiv's Pecherskyi District, where windows were shattered from a nearby explosion.

A video shared on social media showed a restaurant owner in Kyiv angrily condemning the attack, calling Russians "beasts" as he surveyed the wreckage of his business. Another resident, Oksana, shared photos of her destroyed apartment with the BBC, showing broken windows and debris scattered across the floors. She expressed disbelief that she survived, stating, "My balcony flew away, half my walls are gone."

Ukrainian police examine the wreckage inside St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in Kyiv. BBC

The Ukrainian military reported that Russia had launched 65 drones and missiles across the country overnight, although most of these were intercepted and destroyed. In Kyiv, the damage was particularly severe, and it is believed that some of the strikes targeted a building used by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU).

The Russian defense ministry confirmed that the missile attacks were in retaliation for an earlier Ukrainian strike on a chemical plant in Russia’s Rostov region. However, there is speculation in Kyiv that the attack may have been a response to the recent killing of a Russian general, Lt-Gen Igor Kirillov, in Moscow.

The attack also came just one day after Russian President Vladimir Putin's end-of-year press conference, where he threatened to launch further missile strikes on Kyiv. There is growing concern in Ukraine that Russia might soon deploy more advanced missiles, including the Oreshnik intermediate-range ballistic missile, which was recently test-fired by Moscow. On Friday, Ukrainian authorities issued an air alert, warning of a possible Oreshnik missile launch, though it was later confirmed to be a false alarm.

As tensions continue to escalate, both nations brace for more uncertainty and violence, as the conflict shows no signs of slowing down.

How useful was this post?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this post.

You may also like

Pakistan halts Indian visas After Deadly Kashmir Attack On Tourists

Pakistan has taken strong steps against India following a deadly militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir that killed 26 tourists. The....

China Opens Moon Rocks To Global Scientists, Including the US

China has agreed to let scientists from six countries, including the United States, study Moon rocks it collected during its....

Israel Admits Killing UN Worker In Gaza After Initial Denial

Israel's military has admitted that its troops killed a United Nations (UN) worker in the Gaza Strip last month, after....

Trump Criticizes Putin Over Deadly Russian Strikes On Kyiv

US President Donald Trump has expressed his anger over the deadly Russian missile strikes on Kyiv, Ukraine, stating that he....

Thousands Gather To Bid Farewell To Pope Francis In Vatican

Pope Francis’ body was laid in state at St. Peter’s Basilica on Wednesday, allowing thousands of Catholic pilgrims to pay....

India Calls In Pakistan Envoy Over Kashmir Attack That Killed 26

India took strong diplomatic steps against Pakistan after a deadly attack in Kashmir. The government summoned Pakistan’s top diplomat in....

India Halts Indus Treaty, Closes Attari Border Over Militant Attack

India has taken strong action against Pakistan following a deadly terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam. This attack killed....

6.2 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Near Istanbul, Causes Panic

A strong 6.2-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Istanbul on Wednesday, causing panic in the Turkish city. The quake....

Gaza Health Ministry Defends Accuracy Of Death Toll Data

At al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, Alam Hirzallah faces a heartbreaking task: registering the deaths of his cousin’s wife and....

World’s Longest Tunnel Connects Denmark and Germany Soon

A massive underwater tunnel is being built under the Baltic Sea. It will connect Denmark and Germany and is set....

Global Leaders, Including Trump And Zelensky, To Attend Pope's Funeral

Pope Francis will be buried this Saturday at St Peter’s Square in Rome. The Vatican confirmed this on Tuesday. Thousands....

Deadly Ambush in Kashmir: 26 Tourists Killed in Shocking Militant Attack

Gunmen opened fire on a group of tourists in the beautiful Baisaran Valley of Jammu and Kashmir on Tuesday. At....