In eastern Ukraine, pro-Russian rebels have warned they will do everything in their power to prevent presidential elections taking place.<br /><br />In Donetsk, pro-Russian separatist fighters smashed ballot boxes and patrolled polling stations.<br /><br />Fewer than 18% of polling stations were open, with many residents saying they were scared to vote.<br /><br />Meanwhile it is being reported that a 30 year old Italian journalist and his Russian translator have been killed near the town of Slaviansk by mortars, in circumstances that remain unclear. Another French photographer was also wounded.<br /><br />Italy’s foreign ministry said photojournalist Andrea Rocchelli had been covering the conflict ahead of the presidential election.
