Violence plagues ballot day

Sunday's voting in eastern Ukraine appeared mostly peaceful, although isolated violence flared in some areas, including one attack on civilians by alleged pro-Kiev gunmen. A group of armed men was seen firing into a crowd of pro-Russian activists in Krasnoarmeisk, about 30 km west from Donetsk.

The men identified themselves to a crowd as Ukrainian national guards, although the Interior Ministry has denied they were part of the national guard.

The Interfax News Agency reported that one man died on the spot and another died of wounds at a hospital. The attack came hours after armed men put a stop to the voting in Krasnoarmeisk and took control of the town hall. More armed men arrived in a van, a scuffle broke out with people gathered around the building and the men opened fire.

AFP-AP