Pro-Russian protesters in Ukraine have occupied the regional government building in the eastern city of Donetsk. <br /><br />They stormed the building on Monday, reaching the second floor where the regional council sits.<br /><br />MPs inside voted to hold a referendum in the region, without clarifying which questions would be asked. Protesters want a vote that would declare the region sovereign although Kyiv says this would be illegal.<br /><br />The government building has been flying the Russian flag for three days, with pro-Russian demonstrations staged outside daily.<br /><br />Kyiv accuses Moscow of organising the rallies and occupation as an excuse to invade.<br /><br />Donetsk is the hometown of ousted President Yanukovych. Most people in the region are ethnic Ukrainians who speak Russian as their first language.
