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Ukraine rebels hold referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk Ukraine rebels hold referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk
(about 1 hour 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 in places and no electoral register.BBC correspondents at polling stations report chaotic scenes, no voting booths in places 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.
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.
'Total collapse'
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.
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?"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?"
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. And there are still outbreaks of violence, with fighting reported overnight around the rebel-held city of Sloviansk.
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. 'Total collapse'
BBC reporters across eastern Ukraine have described the situation:
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.
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.
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%," he told the BBC."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, but has said it has no plans to cross into mainland Ukraine.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 this.
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. EU leaders have warned Russia it faces further sanctions if Ukraine's presidential election fails to go ahead.
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.uk using 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".