Pro-Russians Violently Seize Govt Buildings in Eastern Ukraine

Violence erupted Sunday in several eastern Ukrainian cities, as pro-Russian demonstrators seized government buildings.

Russian flags were raised over administrative buildings in Donetsk, after a group of protesters broke through the line of riot police. Local authorities cited by the BBC say that about 1,000 people took part in occupying the building, while some 100 still remain inside.

There were violent events in Luhansk and Kharkiv as well, with several people reported injured after police used tear gas to disperse crowds.

Ukraine's acting president Oleksandr Turchynov has cancelled a visit to Lithuania, in order to convene an emergency security meeting.

Tensions between pro-Russian and pro-Kiev fractions have been common in Ukraine since the toppling of President Viktor Yanukovych earlier this year. The secession of Crimea has also exacerbated the situation, with many eastern regions of the country now calling for referendums on their autonomy.