Rebels in Ukraine held 'self-rule' referendums in the country's easternmost areas.
Pro-Russian separatists claimed nearly 90 percent voted in their favour in Donetsk region.
According to the BBC, Ukraine called the vote a 'criminal farce' organised by Russia.
The head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic election commission Roman Lyagin said that 89 percent voted in favour of self-rule.
A Donetsk separatist leader, Denis Pushilin, said that once the results are announced, all Ukrainian military troops in the region would be considered 'occupying forces'.