Russian troops disperse pro-Ukraine rally in occupied town, local authorities say

(Reuters) – Native authorities within the occupied Ukrainian city of Enerhodar stated Russian forces had violently dispersed a pro-Ukrainian rally on Saturday and detained some members.

Residents had gathered within the centre of the city within the south of the nation to speak and sing the Ukrainian nationwide anthem, when Russian troopers arrived and bundled some into detention vans, the native administration stated in a web based submit.

“The occupiers are dispersing the protesters with explosions,” it stated in a separate submit on Telegram, sharing a video of what gave the impression to be a number of stun grenades touchdown in a sq. and letting off bangs and clouds of white smoke subsequent to the city’s important cultural centre.

It additionally accused Russian forces of shelling one other a part of the city on Saturday and stated because of this 4 individuals had been wounded and had been being handled in hospital.

Reuters couldn’t instantly confirm the video or the native administration’s experiences.

Moscow denies concentrating on civilians and describes its invasion of Ukraine as a “particular army operation.” Ukraine and the West say it’s an unprovoked conflict of aggression.

Residents of some cities and villages seized by Russian troops since they invaded on Feb. 24 have staged common rallies towards the occupation.

Enerhodar lies on the Dnipro river in southern Ukraine and is house to staff of the close by Zaporizhzhia nuclear energy plant, Europe’s largest, which has additionally been occupied by Russian troops.

(Reporting by Natalia Zinets; Writing by Alessandra Prentice; Enhancing by David Holmes)