Ukraine: Pro-Russian protesters take government building in Donetsk
- 10 years ago
Pro-Russian protesters in Ukraine have occupied the regional government building in the eastern city of Donetsk.
They stormed the building on Monday, reaching the second floor where the regional council sits.
MPs inside voted to hold a referendum in the region, without clarifying which questions would be asked. Protesters want a vote that would declare the region sovereign although Kyiv says this would be illegal.
The government building has been flying the Russian flag for three days, with pro-Russian demonstrations staged outside daily.
Kyiv accuses Moscow of organising the rallies and occupation as an excuse to invade.
Donetsk is the hometown of ousted President Yanukovych. Most people in the region are ethnic Ukrainians who speak Russian as their first language.
They stormed the building on Monday, reaching the second floor where the regional council sits.
MPs inside voted to hold a referendum in the region, without clarifying which questions would be asked. Protesters want a vote that would declare the region sovereign although Kyiv says this would be illegal.
The government building has been flying the Russian flag for three days, with pro-Russian demonstrations staged outside daily.
Kyiv accuses Moscow of organising the rallies and occupation as an excuse to invade.
Donetsk is the hometown of ousted President Yanukovych. Most people in the region are ethnic Ukrainians who speak Russian as their first language.