Eastern Rebels Hold Self Rule Referendums

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

Pro Russian gunmen occupying offices in a number of towns have been involved in heavy clashes with Ukrainian troops

Reports say there was a fierce fighting overnight on the outskirts of the rebel held city of Sloviansk , which remains sealed by government troops conducting what the government in Kiev describes as an "anti terror"' operation

In the port of Mariupol , also in the Donetsk region , at least seven people were killed and 39 injured in clashes between the two sides on Friday ,  according to official figures

Referendum organizers said earlier this week that most of the polling stations were being controlled by Pro Russian activists and would be ready for voting

Millions of ballot papers have been prepared , they contain only one question in both Ukrainian and Russian "Do you support the act of state self rule of the Donetsk People's Republic ?"'

The organizisers have suggested they intend to hold a second round later in the month , this time on joining Russia , they , also say they will be boycotting Ukraine's Presidential elections on May 25th

There are no independent or international observers involved in Sunday's vote , and all is in the hands of the organisers

On Saturday , Ukraine's Interim President Olexander Turchynov  admitted many in Eastern Ukraine support the Pro Russian militants , but warned that the referendums were "a step towards the abyss"

"Those who advocate self determinetion do not understand that this will mean the total collapse of the economy , of social programes , and of life in general for the majority of people in these regions" he said

The E.U. and U.S. have also condemned the referendums amid the fears that Ukraine could be sliding into civil war

In moscow President Putin earlier called for a postponment of the vote to create the conditions necessary for dialogue

On Saturday , French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela merkel warned Russia of further sanctions if Ukraine's Presidential elections failed to go ahead

"If there is not an internationally recognized Presidential election that would lead unavoidably to a further destabilisition of the country" the leaders said in a statement

Correspondents take this to mean economic sanctions against Russia , already authorized by European leaders in March

Both the E.U. and U.S. have already imposed sanctions targeting officials and companies linked to President Putin