Jewish Families Safe After Missile Kills 22 in Pryluky

Twenty-two Ukrainian civilians, including five children, were killed in a missile strike launched by the Russian military against the city of Pryluky in Chernihiv Oblast in northern Ukraine.

According to local authorities, hundreds of homes and dozens of buildings were damaged, and there may still be people trapped under the rubble.

The Rebbe’s shliach and Chief Rabbi of Chernihiv, Rabbi Yisroel Silberstein, who is also responsible for the Jewish community in Pryluky, informed the Federation of Jewish Communities of Ukraine (FJCU) that Jewish families living in the city suffered significant damage to their apartments.

The apartments are located in two neighboring buildings that were heavily damaged by the blast. Despite the extensive damage, none of the Jewish residents were injured. One family was not home at the time of the attack, while another Jewish resident was inside his apartment during the strike but was unharmed.

Hundreds of other Ukrainian civilians were unfortunately affected; however, it was one of the deadliest attacks on a population center in recent weeks.

Pryluky, a small city of approximately 55,000 residents, is currently home to some 250 Jews. The city once had a large Jewish community. According to historical records, around 1900 there were approximately 8,000 Jews in Pryluky, making up about 30 percent of the city’s total population. Many Jews also returned to the city after World War II, and an improvised shul operated there clandestinely until 1977.

“Ukrainian civilians pay the price of the terrible war and Russian terror every day,” the FJCU said. “Just two weeks ago, 14-year-old Daniel Umansky, an Israeli citizen, was killed when his home in Kyiv was struck, while shuls and cemeteries have also been damaged by direct hits.

“We are preparing for an especially difficult winter and davening for peace and the Geulah”, they added.