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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| Ukraine crisis: Eastern rebels claim 'self-rule' poll victory | Ukraine crisis: Eastern rebels claim 'self-rule' poll victory |
| (about 1 month later) | |
| Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region have claimed a resounding victory in a "self-rule" referendum, saying 89% voted in favour. | Pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region have claimed a resounding victory in a "self-rule" referendum, saying 89% voted in favour. |
| Results from a similar vote in the region of Luhansk are due shortly and are expected to show a similar outcome. | Results from a similar vote in the region of Luhansk are due shortly and are expected to show a similar outcome. |
| BBC reporters at polling stations on Sunday witnessed few checks on identity and multiple voting in places. | BBC reporters at polling stations on Sunday witnessed few checks on identity and multiple voting in places. |
| Ukraine's interim President Olexandr Turchynov has called the vote a "farce" with no legal consequences for Kiev. | Ukraine's interim President Olexandr Turchynov has called the vote a "farce" with no legal consequences for Kiev. |
| The EU and US also said the polls were illegal. | The EU and US also said the polls were illegal. |
| Separatists claimed two people were killed by armed men loyal to Kiev in the city of Krasnoarmiisk. | Separatists claimed two people were killed by armed men loyal to Kiev in the city of Krasnoarmiisk. |
| But otherwise the voting passed off peacefully, the BBC's Richard Galpin in Donetsk reports. | But otherwise the voting passed off peacefully, the BBC's Richard Galpin in Donetsk reports. |
| A number of towns in the two regions refused to hold the poll. | A number of towns in the two regions refused to hold the poll. |
| The referendums were held despite an earlier call by Russian President Vladimir Putin to delay them in order to create the conditions necessary for dialogue. | The referendums were held despite an earlier call by Russian President Vladimir Putin to delay them in order to create the conditions necessary for dialogue. |
| The Kremlin has so far made no official comments after the voting ended. | The Kremlin has so far made no official comments after the voting ended. |
| 'Occupying forces' | 'Occupying forces' |
| The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic election commission, Roman Lyagin, told journalists several hours after the vote ended that 89.07% voted in favour of self-rule, with 10.19% against, with 0.74% of the ballots declared invalid. | The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic election commission, Roman Lyagin, told journalists several hours after the vote ended that 89.07% voted in favour of self-rule, with 10.19% against, with 0.74% of the ballots declared invalid. |
| Turnout was put at nearly 75%. | Turnout was put at nearly 75%. |
| Results in the Luhansk region are expected later on Monday. | Results in the Luhansk region are expected later on Monday. |
| Donetsk separatist leader Denis Pushilin told one Russian news agency that once the results were confirmed, all Ukrainian military troops in the region would be considered "occupying forces". | Donetsk separatist leader Denis Pushilin told one Russian news agency that once the results were confirmed, all Ukrainian military troops in the region would be considered "occupying forces". |
| The Ukrainian foreign ministry condemned the polls, saying they were "inspired, organised and funded by the Kremlin". | The Ukrainian foreign ministry condemned the polls, saying they were "inspired, organised and funded by the Kremlin". |
| In a statement, it said: "The Ukrainian people does not recognise any terrorist referendums in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and also in Crimea," in a reference to Russia's annexation of the southern peninsula in March. | In a statement, it said: "The Ukrainian people does not recognise any terrorist referendums in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and also in Crimea," in a reference to Russia's annexation of the southern peninsula in March. |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |
| The 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?" | The 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?" |
| A second round of voting is planned in a week's time, asking whether people support joining Russia. Organisers also say they will boycott Ukraine's presidential elections on 25 May. | A second round of voting is planned in a week's time, asking whether people support joining Russia. Organisers also say they will boycott Ukraine's presidential elections on 25 May. |
| New sanctions warning | New sanctions warning |
| Mr Turchynov has admitted many in the east supported pro-Russian militants, but warned the referendums were "a step towards the abyss". | Mr 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 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 Pew Research Centre survey 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. |
| Russia annexed Ukraine's southern autonomous republic of Crimea after a March referendum. | Russia annexed Ukraine's southern autonomous republic of Crimea after a March referendum. |
| 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 and says they 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 foreign ministers are due to meet in Brussels to discuss the issue. | EU leaders have warned Russia it faces further sanctions if Ukraine's presidential election fails to go ahead. EU foreign ministers are due to meet in Brussels to discuss the issue. |