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Ukraine crisis: Eastern rebels hold self-rule referendums Ukraine crisis: Eastern rebels hold self-rule referendums
(35 minutes 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 the Ukrainian government and the West.
BBC correspondents at polling stations report chaotic scenes, no voting booths 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 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.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. Overnight, fighting was reported around the rebel-held city of Sloviansk, which remains sealed off by Ukrainian government troops conducting what they describe as an "anti-terror" operation.
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''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 was receiving death threats after having refused to let the rebels use her school as a polling station.
One pro-Ukrainian head teacher told the BBC she had refused to let the rebels in and was getting death threats. 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?"
Millions of ballot papers have been prepared. The BBC's Piers Scholfield, in Donetsk, says the voting process appears haphazard. There are voters' lists in polling stations, but anyone can vote in any polling station.
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 BBC spoke to one man in the city who is registered elsewhere - but simply gave his name and ID number and was allowed to vote.
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 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.
There are no independent or international observers involved in Sunday's vote, the BBC's Sarah Rainsford in Donetsk reports.
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".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".
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 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.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.
In Moscow, President Putin earlier called for a postponement of the vote to create the conditions necessary for dialogue.
Last month, Russia annexed Ukraine's southern autonomous republic of Crimea, after a referendum.Last month, Russia annexed Ukraine's southern autonomous republic of Crimea, after a 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 referendum 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%." "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 with Ukraine, but has said it has no plans to cross over. 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 any withdrawal.Moscow says the troops have been pulled back, but Nato says it has seen no sign of any withdrawal.
On Saturday, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Russia of further sanctions if Ukraine's presidential election failed to go ahead.On Saturday, French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel warned Russia of further sanctions if Ukraine's presidential election failed to go ahead.
Both the EU and US have already imposed sanctions targeting officials and companies linked to President Putin.Both the EU and US have already imposed sanctions targeting officials and companies linked to President Putin.
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.ukusing the subject line "Ukraine".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.ukusing the subject line "Ukraine".