Rebels in east Ukraine spur Putin, as region hurls towards referendum vote
- 10 years ago
Shots fired in Ukraine's port city of Mariupol.
Government forces took back the city hall from pro-Russian separatists Thursday.
One man was reported injured.
Control of the building exchanged hands several times this week, as east Ukraine moves towards a Sunday referendum on independence.
Separatists voted unanimously Thursday to move ahead with the vote as planned.
They defied a call by Russian President Vladimir Putin the day before to postpone the vote, and to give dialogue with the central government a try.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) LEADER OF SELF-PROCLAIMED 'PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF DONETSK', DENIS PUSHILIN, SAYING:
"The decision NOT to postpone the referendum was passed 100 percent. The referendum will be held on May 11."
Residents of rebel-held areas were stunned by Putin's remarks.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) PRESS OFFICER OF THE 'ARMY OF THE SOUTH EAST' SEPARATIST MOVEMENT, NIKOLA NIKITIN, SAYING:
"People want it to be held, peopl
Government forces took back the city hall from pro-Russian separatists Thursday.
One man was reported injured.
Control of the building exchanged hands several times this week, as east Ukraine moves towards a Sunday referendum on independence.
Separatists voted unanimously Thursday to move ahead with the vote as planned.
They defied a call by Russian President Vladimir Putin the day before to postpone the vote, and to give dialogue with the central government a try.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) LEADER OF SELF-PROCLAIMED 'PEOPLE'S REPUBLIC OF DONETSK', DENIS PUSHILIN, SAYING:
"The decision NOT to postpone the referendum was passed 100 percent. The referendum will be held on May 11."
Residents of rebel-held areas were stunned by Putin's remarks.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) PRESS OFFICER OF THE 'ARMY OF THE SOUTH EAST' SEPARATIST MOVEMENT, NIKOLA NIKITIN, SAYING:
"People want it to be held, peopl