Videos show protesters fleeing in Kherson as shots ring out

The deputy head of the Kherson regional council says Russian forces opened fire to disperse a group of unarmed civilian protesters in Kherson, the first major city taken by Russia earlier this month.

Videos of the scene show dozens of people chanting in a central square when loud shots can be heard from an unknown source.

Russian Forces opening fire on demonstrators against Kherson Occupation. #UkraineUnderAttack#Ukraine️#ウクライナpic.twitter.com/74yhuxK1He

— B-Cat (@ePowerLife2) March 21, 2022

A second video shows dozens of people fleeing as gunfire crackles through the air.

Ukraine : Vidéo qui montre la situation à Kherson où les troupes d'occupation de la Russie (Rosgvardia) répriment actuellement les manifestations des habitants. Des victimes ont été signalées
Géolocalisation (Rosgvardia) : https://t.co/2teCpgrkmhpic.twitter.com/3VwjdNnQtD

— Rebecca Rambar (@RebeccaRambar) March 21, 2022

It’s unclear if live fire was used. According to deputy chairman of the Kherson region Yuriy Sobolevsky, the most serious casualty was an older man who was badly hurt in his leg. He says “cannonades, gas grenades and flashbangs” were used against the protesters, the last two of which are meant to be non-lethal.

Sobolevsky says one person was arrested and protesters plan to be back at the square to protest tomorrow.

Daily peaceful protests against the Russian occupiers have been held in the square.