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| Deadly clashes in east Ukraine ahead of Crimea vote | Deadly clashes in east Ukraine ahead of Crimea vote |
| (about 9 hours later) | |
| Two people have been killed in clashes between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian activists in Ukraine's eastern city of Kharkiv, officials say. | Two people have been killed in clashes between pro-Ukrainian and pro-Russian activists in Ukraine's eastern city of Kharkiv, officials say. |
| Five people were injured overnight, as gunshots were fired. Rival groups blamed each other for the violence. | Five people were injured overnight, as gunshots were fired. Rival groups blamed each other for the violence. |
| Earlier, Russia and the US failed to agree on how to resolve the crisis in Ukraine's Crimea region, ahead of a secession referendum there. | Earlier, Russia and the US failed to agree on how to resolve the crisis in Ukraine's Crimea region, ahead of a secession referendum there. |
| Russia vowed to respect Sunday's vote - but the US said it was illegitimate. | Russia vowed to respect Sunday's vote - but the US said it was illegitimate. |
| Moscow has been tightening its military grip on Crimea - the southern autonomous republic in Ukraine - where voters are to decide on whether to re-join Russia or stay with Kiev. | Moscow has been tightening its military grip on Crimea - the southern autonomous republic in Ukraine - where voters are to decide on whether to re-join Russia or stay with Kiev. |
| In other developments: | In other developments: |
| 'Provocation' | 'Provocation' |
| The violence reportedly began on Kharkiv's Svoboda Square on Friday evening and later moved to an office of a pro-Ukrainian group in the city. | The violence reportedly began on Kharkiv's Svoboda Square on Friday evening and later moved to an office of a pro-Ukrainian group in the city. |
| Eyewitnesses said that pro-Russian activists tried to storm the rival protesters, who had barricaded themselves in. | Eyewitnesses said that pro-Russian activists tried to storm the rival protesters, who had barricaded themselves in. |
| The witnesses said that shots had been fired and Molotov cocktails thrown in. | The witnesses said that shots had been fired and Molotov cocktails thrown in. |
| Kharkiv Mayor Hennadiy Kernes was later quoted by Ukrainian media as saying that two people were killed and five injured. | Kharkiv Mayor Hennadiy Kernes was later quoted by Ukrainian media as saying that two people were killed and five injured. |
| Meanwhile, Kharkiv Governor Ihor Baluta called the incident "a provocation". | Meanwhile, Kharkiv Governor Ihor Baluta called the incident "a provocation". |
| Both rival groups blame each other for starting the clashes. A criminal investigation is now under way. | Both rival groups blame each other for starting the clashes. A criminal investigation is now under way. |
| This follows Thursday night's violence in Donetsk, also in the east, where at least one person died in fighting between a pro-Russian crowd and supporters of the new government in Kiev. | This follows Thursday night's violence in Donetsk, also in the east, where at least one person died in fighting between a pro-Russian crowd and supporters of the new government in Kiev. |
| Ukraine accuses Russia of using provocateurs to stoke unrest on the eastern border. Moscow denies this, vowing to protect its "compatriots" from far-right radicals. | Ukraine accuses Russia of using provocateurs to stoke unrest on the eastern border. Moscow denies this, vowing to protect its "compatriots" from far-right radicals. |
| 'Consequences' | 'Consequences' |
| Earlier on Friday, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov failed to reach agreement on how to resolve the Ukraine crisis. | Earlier on Friday, US Secretary of State John Kerry and Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov failed to reach agreement on how to resolve the Ukraine crisis. |
| After six hours of talks in London, Mr Lavrov said both sides had "no common vision" on the issue. | After six hours of talks in London, Mr Lavrov said both sides had "no common vision" on the issue. |
| However, he described the meeting as "constructive". | However, he described the meeting as "constructive". |
| And Mr Lavrov stressed that Moscow would "respect the will of the people of Crimea". | And Mr Lavrov stressed that Moscow would "respect the will of the people of Crimea". |
| Meanwhile, Mr Kerry, who described the talks as "direct and candid", said the US acknowledged Russia's "legitimate interests" in Ukraine. | Meanwhile, Mr Kerry, who described the talks as "direct and candid", said the US acknowledged Russia's "legitimate interests" in Ukraine. |
| But he stressed that Washington had not changed its position on the "illegitimate" referendum in Crimea and would not recognise its outcome. | But he stressed that Washington had not changed its position on the "illegitimate" referendum in Crimea and would not recognise its outcome. |
| He also said that his Russian counterpart had made it clear that President Vladimir Putin was not prepared to make any decision until after the vote. | He also said that his Russian counterpart had made it clear that President Vladimir Putin was not prepared to make any decision until after the vote. |
| And Mr Kerry added that he had told Mr Lavrov that there would be consequences if Russia "does not find a way to change course". | And Mr Kerry added that he had told Mr Lavrov that there would be consequences if Russia "does not find a way to change course". |
| Both the US and EU have threatened tough sanctions against Moscow. | Both the US and EU have threatened tough sanctions against Moscow. |
| Russia's military intervention in the Crimean peninsula - part of Russia until 1954 and host to its Black Sea fleet - followed the fall of Ukraine's pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych on 22 February. | Russia's military intervention in the Crimean peninsula - part of Russia until 1954 and host to its Black Sea fleet - followed the fall of Ukraine's pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych on 22 February. |