Donetsk

The self-procliamed people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk are classified as terrorist organizations, the press service of Ukraine's General Prosecutor Office said.

The leadership of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic in Ukraine has begun unification talks the rebel-controlled Luhansk region, its representatives claim.

Moscow “respects” the results of the referendums in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Ukraine, reports the Russian wire service RIA Novosti, quoting  Kremlin press office. 

According to preliminary counts, between 94 and 98 percent of voters in Ukraine's Luhansk region have voted for self-rule in Sunday's referendum.

No solution to the Ukraine crisis could be reached if authorities do not engage in a dialogue with "opponents of Kiev's regime", Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said Monday.

At a press conference, Lavrov stressed the importance of a "national dialogue" in Ukraine based on a proposal by the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).

Russia "respects will of people in Donetsk and Lugansk"

MOSCOW -- Moscow "hopes that the referendums in the Donetsk and Lugansk will result in a civilized dialogue between representatives of Kiev, Donetsk and Lugansk."

This was announced by the Kremlin press service on Monday.

Pro-Russian forces have claimed victory in Sunday's referendum for self-government in Ukraine's Donetsk region.

The supporters of federalization say that 89% had voted in favor of an autonomous Donetsk Republic, the BBC reports. The result in Luhansk is also set to be in the high percentage for federalization.

Pro-Russian separatists in two eastern regions in Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk, are holding "self-rule" referendums.

The "People's Republic" of Donetsk was proclaimed on April 7 and the "People's Republic" of Luhansk was proclaimed on April 27 by heavily armed pro-Russian activists.

The pro-Russian separatists in Eastern Ukraine did not heed Russia's President Vladimir Putin advice to postpone the referendum for independence, reports Interfax. 

It is supposed to take place this Sunday in the so-called “Donetsk People's Republic” and the neighboring “Luhansk People's Republic” in Eastern Ukraine. 

An unknown number of people were reported injured after a crowd of pro-Russian protesters stormed into the regional Prosecutor's Office in Donetsk, east Ukraine.

Clashes ensued after rebels first attempted to break into the building.