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Ukraine rebels hold referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk Ukraine rebels hold referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk
(about 2 hours later)
Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine's two eastern regions are holding "self-rule" referendums - a move condemned by the Ukrainian government and the West. Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine's two eastern regions are holding "self-rule" referendums - a move condemned by Ukraine's government and the West.
BBC correspondents at polling stations report chaotic scenes, no voting booths in places and no electoral register.BBC correspondents at polling stations report chaotic scenes, no voting booths in places and no electoral register.
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. Self-proclaimed leaders in Donetsk and Luhansk regions are going ahead with the vote despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's call to postpone it.
Ukraine condemned the vote as a "criminal farce" organised by Russia.Ukraine condemned the vote as a "criminal farce" organised by Russia.
There is only one question on the ballot papers, in both Ukrainian and Russian: "Do you support the act of state self-rule of the Donetsk People's Republic/Luhansk People's Republic?" An official in Kiev, national security chief Andriy Parubiy, said: "We do not consider there to have been a referendum."
And there are still outbreaks of violence, with fighting reported overnight around the rebel-held city of Sloviansk. Ballot papers, in Ukrainian and Russian, ask one question: "Do you support the Act of State Self-rule of the Donetsk People's Republic/Luhansk People's Republic?"
Outbreaks of violence have continued; fighting was reported overnight around rebel-held Sloviansk.
'Total collapse''Total collapse'
BBC reporters across eastern Ukraine have described the situation: Across eastern Ukraine:
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. A second round of voting is planned in a week's time, on joining Russia. Organisers also say they will boycott Ukraine's presidential elections on 25 May.
On Saturday, Ukraine's interim President Olexandr Turchynov admitted many in eastern Ukraine supported the pro-Russian militants, but warned that the referendums were "a step towards the abyss". Ukraine's interim President Olexandr Turchynov has admitted many in the east supported pro-Russian militants, but warned the referendums were "a step towards the abyss".
The EU and US have also condemned the referendums, amid fears that Ukraine could be sliding to civil war. The EU and US have also condemned the referendums, amid fears 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. A Pew Research Centre survey suggested a majority even in eastern Ukraine - 70% - wanted to remain in a united country, despite concerns about governance.
Last month, Russia annexed Ukraine's southern autonomous republic of Crimea, after a referendum. Russia annexed Ukraine's southern autonomous republic of Crimea, after a March referendum.
Bill Taylor, a former US ambassador to Ukraine, said results from Sunday's referendum should be treated with caution after what happened in Crimea. Bill Taylor, a former US ambassador to Ukraine, said results from Sunday's vote should be treated with caution after what happened in Crimea.
"The first reports were... that 80% turned out and 97% agreed with the yes vote. And then we find out just a couple of days ago from an official Russian government website that the turnout was not 80%, it was only 30% in Crimea, and the yes vote was not 97%, it was only 50%," he told the BBC. Russia is estimated to have some 40,000 troops near the border and says they have been pulled back, but Nato says it has seen no sign of this.
Russia is estimated to have some 40,000 troops near the border, but has said it has no plans to cross into mainland Ukraine.
Moscow says the troops have been pulled back, but Nato says it has seen no sign of this.
EU leaders have warned Russia it faces further sanctions if Ukraine's presidential election fails to go ahead.EU leaders have warned Russia it faces further sanctions if Ukraine's presidential election fails to go ahead.
Are you in the Donetsk or Luhansk region, or elsewhere in Ukraine? What do you think of the "self-rule" referendums? You can send us your thoughts by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Ukraine". Are you in Donetsk or Luhansk region, or elsewhere in Ukraine? What do you think of the "self-rule" referendums? Send us your thoughts by emailing haveyoursay@bbc.co.uk using the subject line "Ukraine".