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Referendums in Ukraine's Donetsk, Lugansk to run as scheduled

10 May 2014 20:41 (UTC +04:00)

Baku-APA. A referendum in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region will go ahead as scheduled on Sunday, local activists occupying the regional government building here said Saturday, APA reports quoting Xinhua.

And reports say Lugansk region will also hold its referendum on the same day.

The situation in Donetsk has remained calm since Friday, in contrast to the violent clashes several days ago between activists and Ukraine government forces.

Police also began to perform their duties again after standing idle days ago. Dozens of riot police were seen gathering near a hotel, ready to maintain order.

Both the Donetsk regional government and the self-proclaimed Republic of Donetsk, set up by militant groups, held activities Friday to mark Victory Day, the 69th anniversary of the defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II, but the rival celebrations remained peaceful.

Working groups from the activists in Donetsk and Lugansk regions earlier this month voted unanimously to hold the referendums Sunday, when local residents will be asked whether their regions should become sovereign republics, independent from the government in Kiev.