Analysts said the local political and business elite of eastern Ukraine will use the results of the vote to demand much greater autonomy from Kiev, their ultimate aim being a loose federal structure that devolves maximum power to the regions.
But others think that the two regions could completely break away from Ukrainian rule, turning into an independent but Moscow-backed statelet similar to Transnistria, which seceded from Moldova in the early 1990s.
Voters were asked whether they endorsed Donetsk and Luhansk’s declaration of self-rule. An official tally was not expected until this evening, but anecdotal reports from polling stations suggested a large majority in favour.
A US State Department official said on Saturday: “The referendums . . . are illegal under Ukrainian law and are an attempt to create further division and disorder.”
The US and other western countries have said they would not recognise the results. Ukraine plans to hold presidential elections on May 25. The referendums came weeks after pro-Russian separatists seized government buildings across eastern Ukraine and declared a People’s Republic of Donetsk.
In school number 45 in Donetsk’s Leninsky district, a steady stream of locals filed in to vote yesterday morning. Many said they had been moved to take part after the deaths of more than 40 people in Odessa, caused when a crowd of mainly pro-Moscow sympathisers barricaded themselves in a building in the city centre which was then set on fire.
“With Odessa, Ukraine committed suicide,” said Konstantin Brovko, an unemployed printer, who voted “yes” to self-rule.
Voting was marred by irregularities, with no electoral register and not enough polling stations, leading to huge queues at the few that were open. Social media carried pictures of some ballot boxes being set up outside. A few hours before polling was due to close, separatist officials said turnout had been close to 70 per cent – although there was no way to independently confirm the claim.
Voters questioned in Donetsk seemed split on what they hoped the referendum would achieve. Some said they wanted to remain in Ukraine, but with greater autonomy: others wanted Donetsk to be independent; while still others said they want to be part of Russia.
Tatyana Drevitskaya, a pensioner, said she did not fear the economic chaos that might ensue if Donetsk seceded from Ukraine. “We’ll eat bread and weeds, but we’ll be free,” she said. “How can you live in a country where people are murdered and burnt alive?” (FT)
