Ukraine regions hold controversial independence referendums

(Vatican Radio) Residents in Ukraine's eastern regions of Donetsk and Luhansk have voted Sunday on whether to break away from the rest of the former Soviet nation.

Voting began early, amid concerns over ongoing deadly clashes between separatists and government forces.

Organizers ignored warnings from Ukrainian Interim President Oleksander Turchinov that Sunday's referendums could lead to the regions destruction.

People were asked whether they support self-rule for the self-declared peoples republics of Donetsk and Luhansk.

ANSWER CLEAR

For at least some voters the answer was clear.

"I support independence whether you like it or not," an elderly woman warned a reporter. "We are not against the people. We are against the government that rules us. Our people are fantastic," she added.

Yet the voting was overshadowed by violence, with several people being killed in recent days in fighting between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian security forces.

The international community has also raised doubts about the fairness of the voting.

PRO-RUSSIAN ACTIVISTS

Most polling stations were staffed by pro-Russian activists, raising concerns that those opposing independence felt threatened and would stay away.

Additionally, Ukrainian forces reportedly discovered as many as 100,000 ballot papers marked with yes votes, detaining four people carrying those papers and weapons.

Even Russian President Vladimir Putin, who already annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula, had asked to postpone the referendums.

Though the outcome seemed a forgone conclusion, official results were expected early Monday.

Later this month, separatists plan to hold a referendum on whether to follow Crimea's example, and join Russia.

Listen to Stefan Bos' report: