Pro-Russian protesters occupy Ukraine buildings
Iran Press TV
Thu Apr 10, 2014 4:47PM GMT
Pro-Russian activists have maintained their seizure of government buildings in major eastern Ukrainian cities, vowing to continue until the start of a referendum on independence.
The protesters continued their stand for the fourth day in a row on Thursday, raising more barricades in front of the headquarters of the Ukrainian Security Service in Lugansk and the regional administration building in Donetsk.
The demonstrations come as a two-day ultimatum by the Western-backed government in Kiev will expire on Friday.
Ukraine's interim authorities have threatened to use force against protesters who continued to occupy buildings beyond the deadline.
However, anti-government demonstrators in Donetsk have optimistically said their protest will triumph at the end of the day.
On Monday, protesters in Kharkiv declared independence from Kiev. The move followed a similar declaration by pro-Russian protesters in Donetsk.
Pro-Russian demonstrations gained momentum in the Eastern European country after Crimea declared independence from Ukraine and formally applied to become part of the Russian Federation following a referendum on March 16.
The move sparked angry reactions from the United States and the European Union, both imposing sanctions against a number of Russian officials and authorities in Crimea.
GMA/AB
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