In the rebel stronghold of Slavyansk in Ukraine, residents say they are tired of the conflict between pro-Russian separatists and Kyiv supporters as the country slides further towards war.<br /><br />Analysts say if Kyiv has not already lost its industrial east, it risks doing so on Sunday. People there will vote in a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ referendum on secession. <br /><br />Many are ethnic Russians or native Russian speakers. Some wear the red-blue-black flag of the rebel republic.<br /><br />Ukraine says its forces are tightening a noose around Slavyansk. <br /><br />With tens of thousands of Russian troops at the border some 160 km away, there are warnings that a Ukrainian advance into the city could trigger a bloodbath.
