Ukraine launched a devastating missile strike on a town in Russia‘s Kursk region, just 43 miles from a major nuclear power station.
The attack reportedly involved the use of HIMARS missiles, which caused extensive damage to civilian infrastructure in Rylsk.
Russian reports claimed that a college, cultural centre and school were all hit during the bombardment.
However, Ukrainian sources suggested that the target of the attack was a military barracks housing Russian officers.
The pro-Kremlin telegram channel MASH said that five people had been killed and 26 injured, including a 13-year-old.
Video images shot by locals show flames and thick black smoke billowing from buildings and cars.
In further footage, rubble and debris can be seen scattered everywhere inside a building that was close to one of the points of impact.
The attack came shortly after Russia launched a barrage of missiles and drones at Kyiv and several other regions around Ukraine.
The region’s acting governor, Alexander Khinshtein, said the town was grieving for the victims.
« What happened today is a huge tragedy for all of us, » he write in a post to his Telegram channel. « We grieve together with the families of the victims. No one will be left without support. »
He added those responsible would receive « well-deserved retribution ».
Rylsk is just 43 miles from the Kursk Nuclear Power Plant – one of biggest in Russia.
Ever since Ukraine‘s incursion into Kursk, experts have been worried that the plant could be accidentally hit in a military strike.
Rafael Grossi, the head of the Atomic Energy Agency, visited the plant in August and called on both sides to show restraint.
He said: « I reiterate that the safety and security of nuclear facilities must, under no circumstances, be endangered. »
Following yesterday’s attack, officials at the plant insisted that everything was « operating in normal mode ».
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