Prelude to a referendum
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Version 0 of 1. Events leading up to the referendum called by separatists in eastern Ukraine: April 7: Pro-Russian activists proclaim the creation of the Donetsk People’s Republic. April 12: Separatists take control of the city of Slovyansk. April 18: The United States, Russia, Ukraine and the European Union reach a deal for groups to disarm and end occupations of public buildings and spaces across eastern Ukraine. April 19: Separatists say they will not sign the deal until the new government in Kiev steps down. April 24: Ukraine sends troops to try to expel the separatists from Slovyansk; five rebels are killed. April 25: Ukrainian forces mount a full blockade of Slovyansk. Separatists detain a group of international observers, saying a Kiev “spy” is among them. May 2: Dozens of people are killed in clashes and a fire in Odessa, Ukraine’s third-largest city. May 7: Russian President Vladimir Putin unexpectedly calls for separatists to postpone the referendum. May 9: A deadly firefight breaks out in the eastern city of Mariupol. May 11: Pro-Russian activists hold a referendum that they hope will legitimize their movement. — Staff and wire reports |