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Ukraine: Pro-Russians storm offices in Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Pro-Russian protesters have stormed government buildings in three eastern Ukrainian cities. | |
In Donetsk, Luhansk, and Kharkiv they clashed with police, waved Russian flags and called for referendums on independence from Ukraine. | |
Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov called an emergency security meeting. | |
The unrest comes amid tensions between Russia and Ukraine over the removal of pro-Moscow President Viktor Yanukovych and Russia's annexation of Crimea. | |
In Donetsk, about 50 people broke away from a rally of about 2,000 people in the city centre, and got past a police cordon to enter the regional administration building. | |
The activists shouted "Donetsk is a Russian city" and raised Russian flags above the building. | The activists shouted "Donetsk is a Russian city" and raised Russian flags above the building. |
Some called for the region to have a referendum on the region's independence from Ukraine. | Some called for the region to have a referendum on the region's independence from Ukraine. |
A similar referendum held in the Crimean peninsula in March led to Russia's annexation. | A similar referendum held in the Crimean peninsula in March led to Russia's annexation. |
In Luhansk, near the Russian border, dozens of demonstrators stormed the offices of the state security agency. | |
Ukrainian media said protesters pelted the building with eggs, a smoke grenade and a firebomb. | Ukrainian media said protesters pelted the building with eggs, a smoke grenade and a firebomb. |
Similar incidents were later reported in Kharkiv. | |
Trip cancelled | |
Russian President Vladimir Putin has vowed to protect Russian-speaking people in eastern Ukraine. | |
Interim President Turchynov has cancelled a diplomatic trip to Lithuania to deal with the unrest, according to his press service. | |
The statement said Mr Turchynov would hold an emergency meeting with the heads of security services. | The statement said Mr Turchynov would hold an emergency meeting with the heads of security services. |
Tensions are running high between Ukraine and Russia, with thousands of Russian soldiers still said to be deployed along the border. | Tensions are running high between Ukraine and Russia, with thousands of Russian soldiers still said to be deployed along the border. |
Mr Yanukovych was forced from office in February, following months of street protests. | Mr Yanukovych was forced from office in February, following months of street protests. |
The new administration has faced continuing opposition from Ukraine's Russian-speaking regions, particularly in the east of the country. | The new administration has faced continuing opposition from Ukraine's Russian-speaking regions, particularly in the east of the country. |
Russia has said it will defend the rights of ethnic Russians in Ukraine - which it claims are under threat under the new government - but has said it will not send troops into the rest of the country. | Russia has said it will defend the rights of ethnic Russians in Ukraine - which it claims are under threat under the new government - but has said it will not send troops into the rest of the country. |