Ukraine’s acting president Oleksandr Turchynov has warned eastern regions that they will be stepping into the abyss if they vote for self-rule.<br /><br />Polls are open in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk despite the call by Russian President Vladimir Putin for a postponement of the ballot.<br /><br />According to the Ukrainian news website Obozrevatel, security services say four people have been arrested near Slovyansk carrying weapons and thousands of ballot papers marked with “yes” votes. <br /><br />The EU and the US have condemned the referendums, which have no outside observers.<br /><br />Organisers say a second ballot could be held on joining Russia.<br /><br />People are also voting in Lukansk, where pro-Russian separatists have also seized government buildings and clashed with Ukrainian forces.<br /><br />“I will vote in the referendum for the independence of Luhansk so the city’s money will stay here, not in Kyiv,” said resident Lulia Dorohova.<br /><br />Many in Ukraine’s eastern regions mistrust the Kyiv authorities. But it is unclear exactly what a vote for self-rule would bring.
