Ukraine region voted for sovereignty

12 May 2014 - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

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. 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.

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.

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.

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. (BBC)

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Ukraine region voted for sovereignty

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