Ukraine’s rebels prepare for independence vote amid Victory Day fears

Ukraine’s anti-government rebels have vowed to press ahead with a referendum on independence for restive eastern regions, amid security fears for a major national holiday today.

Pro-Moscow separatists occupying official buildings in the industrial Donetsk and Luhansk provinces said yesterday that Sunday’s planned plebiscites would take place, despite Russian president Vladimir Putin asking for them to be postponed.

Mr Putin called for the votes to be delayed to allow for talks between Ukraine’s pro-EU authorities and representatives of eastern regions, where many people feel threatened by leaders whom Moscow claims are backed by Russian-hating “fascists”.

'Anti-terrorist campaign'
Fear and resentment of the new Kiev government, which is dominated by figures from mostly Ukrainian-speaking western and central parts of the country, has soared with the start of a military "anti-terrorist" campaign against armed rebels.

“Civil war has already begun . . . The referendum can stop to it and start a political process,” said Denis Pushilin, a former casino croupier and pyramid scheme salesman who is now the self-proclaimed leader of the so-called Donetsk People’s Republic.

“The people’s desire for the referendum is becoming even greater. There was a vote and a 100 per cent decision was made not to change the date,” he added.

Earlier, he said that the issue would be decided by a “people’s council”, the composition of which is unclear.

“The army is moving against the people, criminal orders have been given by the central authorities in Kiev that the people of the Donbass region do not recognise . . . against the backdrop of these events Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin is looking for an exit from this situation . . . We thank him for this,” Mr Pushilin said.

Ukraine’s government and regional officials in Donetsk and Luhansk, as well as the European Union and United States, say the referendum would be illegal and its results would not be accepted.

It is also not clear whether the protesters have sufficient resources, organisational ability and control over big cities like Donetsk and Luhansk to make the votes in any way credible; beyond the buildings they occupy, and checkpoints on main roads manned by militants, normal life continues and the state seems to hold sway.

Ukrainian leaders also rejected suggestions that Mr Putin really wanted to de-escalate tension in eastern areas when he asked for the vote to be postponed.

They believe he is determined to deeply destabilise Ukraine, prevent presidential elections taking place on May 25th, and stop the country tilting to the west – and wants to feign distance from the rebels to avert more EU and US sanctions.

'Senseless' to vote
Russian foreign minister Sergei Lavrov said yesterday it would be "senseless" to hold the presidential vote during military action against the rebels.

Ukraine has warned of possible attacks today on events across the country to mark Victory Day, which commemorates the Soviet defeat of fascist Germany.

Officials said last night that Ukrainian border guards had repelled an attack by militants who approached from Luhansk region, amid continuing concern in Kiev and western capitals over a large Russian force allegedly concentrated near the frontier.