Ukraine crisis: Eastern rebels hold self-rule Vote

 

Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine's two eastern regions are holding "self-rule" referendums - a move condemned by the Ukrainian government and the West.

Self-proclaimed leaders in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions are going ahead with the vote despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's call to postpone it.

Ukraine says the vote could result in the "self-destruction" of the regions.

Pro-Russian gunmen occupying offices in a number of towns have been involved in heavy clashes with Ukrainian troops.

Reports say there was a fierce fighting overnight on the outskirts of the rebel-held city of Sloviansk, which remains sealed by government troops conducting what the government in Kiev describes as an "anti-terror" operation.

At least seven people were killed in clashes in the port of Mariupol on Friday, officials said.
'Total collapse'
 
Referendum organisers said earlier this week that most of the polling stations were controlled by pro-Russian activists and would be ready for voting.

One pro-Ukrainian head teacher told the BBC she had refused to let the rebels in and was getting death threats.

Millions of ballot papers have been prepared.

They contain only one question in both Ukrainian and Russian: "Do you support the act of state self-rule of the Donetsk People's Republic/Luhansk People's Republic?"

The organisers have suggested they intend to hold a second round of voting later this month, on joining Russia.

 They also say they will boycott Ukraine's presidential elections on 25 May.

The EU and US have also condemned the referendums, amid fears that Ukraine could be sliding to civil war.

A survey by the Pew Research Centre suggested a majority even in eastern Ukraine - 70% - wanted to remain in a united country, despite concerns about governance.