Russian tourists flee as missile fire rains down on crowded beach in Crimea

Dramatic new footage shows the moment beach-goers in Crimea suddenly found themselves running for their lives after cluster munitions rained down on the seafront.

Tourists sunbathing in occupied Crimea were sent fleeing for cover after they were bombarded with deadly shrapnel, with many crowding into a nearby cafe for shelter.

‌Some sunbathers can be seen picking up toys and possessions before fleeing, but others race to take cover from the exploding munitions, which killed four people and wounded 153 more.

‌As the beach empties, a nearby cafe fills with panic-stricken people and the hideous, deafening sound of exploding cluster munitions is heard on the video.

Four were killed and 153 injured after missile fire peppered a beach in Crimea (Picture: Twitter)

‌Tourists cover their ears and scramble to the ground protected by chairs, but are confused as to where to go to be safe.

‌The chilling incident occurred on Sunday, but this is the first time the full horror has emerged on video.

Russian voices have claimed the Uchkuevka beach in Sevastopol – headquarters of Putin’s Black Sea Fleet – was deliberately targeted by Ukraine with an ATACMS missile supplied by the US.

Other sources believe the incoming Ukrainian missile was hit by Russian air defences and exploded over the sea next to the packed beach.

The shrapnel is thought to be debris from a downed Ukrainian missile (Picture: Twitter)

Previously, Ukraine has been rigorous in seeking to only target military or strategic sites, avoiding civilians wherever possible.

Separate footage shows a missile dropping to the sea, seemingly out of control, possibly after being hit by Russian air defences.

The Russian Ministry of Defence has said four out of five ATACMS missiles with cluster warheads were downed by its air defences.

Among the dead was Sofiya, nine, daughter of the deputy mayor of Russian city Magadan, Oleg Averyanov, 49.

The distraught politician vowed: ‘I will avenge every child killed on this beach, every child injured.’

Vladimir Putin ordered top doctors to fly to Sevastopol to treat victims, and some have been transported to Moscow hospitals.

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