KURSK, December 20. /TASS/. Air defenses have downed several HIMARS rockets over the town of Rylsk in Russia’s borderline Kursk Region as the Ukrainian army continues shelling attacks, Acting Governor Alexander Khinshtein said.

"Doctors are providing the necessary assistance to those injured. Rescuers, firefighters and other emergency services are working at the site. However, attempts by the Ukrainian armed forces to carry out more attacks are complicating their efforts. Air defenses have shot down several HIMARS rockets," he wrote on Telegram.

The acting governor added that he was currently in Moscow for a State Council meeting but planned to travel to Rylsk as soon as possible. "I have already dispatched Acting [regional] Prime Minister Alexey Dedov and other officials there. I am in constant contact with them, as well as with the Emergencies Ministry and the district head. I understand that it’s hard to see your native town in such a situation but together, we will get through this," Khinshtein added.

Khinshtein said earlier that the town of Rylsk, located some 120 kilometers west of Kursk, had come under Ukrainian fire. The attacks, which targeted civilian facilities, caused casualties. The Russian Investigative Committee launched a criminal investigation under Paragraph (b) of Article 205.3 of the Russian Criminal Code ("Act of Terrorism").