Russian forces disperse rally in Kherson and Russian "rally" fails in Nova Kakhovka

OLENA ROSHCHYNA - SUNDAY, 10 APRIL 2022, 15:03

Residents gathered for a peaceful rally in Kherson on the square outside the Yuvileinyi cinema and concert hall, but it was dispersed by Russian forces, while in Novaya Kakhovka in the Kherson region, several dozens of men "masqueraded" as attendees gathering for a pro-Russian rally.

Source: Yurii Sobolevskyi, first deputy head of the Kherson regional council; Serhiy Khlan, member of Kherson regional council, "Suspіlne".

Details: A peaceful rally dedicated to the memory of victims of Russian aggression was held in Kherson near the Yuvileinyi cinema and concert hall on Sunday. It was broken up by the occupying forces, said Yurii Sobolevskyi, first deputy head of the Kherson Regional Council.

According to Suspilne correspondents, shots were heard in the centre of the city from the Yubileyniy area. The Russian military probably used weapons to disperse the civilians. It is unknown whether there were any injured or detained.

Sobolevskyi also recorded on video that there was a "gathering of clowns" in Nova Kakhovka.

"When thousands turn out of their own free will for a pro-Ukrainian rally, it's acting out of a call of the heart. When a few dozen people, and I doubt that they are even citizens of our state, carrying the flag of a nation of murderers try to make any kind of picture of a rally – these are purely theatrical actions," he said.

"The Ukrainian rally gets fired on and dispersed en masse by the occupiers, and the pro-Russian rally gets careful guarding around its perimeter. What are you afraid of? Peaceful Ukrainians? Do you think they’ll tear your rabble apart? God's punishment is much worse. Your fate has already been determined. One thing must be understood and remembered: Kherson region will not give up for no reason. Kherson Region is Ukraine," Sobolevskyi added.

Kherson Regional Council member Serhiy Khlan also wrote: "The Russians in Nova Kakhovka are trying to paint a picture, but once again they fail. A few dozen masquerading men with tricoloured rags? Why are the occupiers standing so far apart? Don't they even know how to do it, because on a subconscious level they are afraid to gather for rallies? Or are they leaving space so that they can photoshop people in, edit – as they like to do with (Putin's – ed.) bunker?".

Khlan is convinced that there will be no "People's Republic of Kherson" in the Kherson region because "this is Ukraine!".

"The protesters" carrying Russian flags were brought to the square in Novaya Kakhovka by buses, and the "rally" was filmed by Russian propagandists. Residents were barred from holding a pro-Ukrainian rally, Ukrainian TV channels said in a joint broadcast.