Donetsk rally demands referendum on joining Russia

DONETSK, Ukraine

Several thousand anti-Maidan supporters gathered in Donetsk's central Lenin Square on Sunday to demand the return of ousted President Viktor Yanukovych and a referendum on joining Russia.

The crowd later marched from the square, down the city's main thoroughfare, Artyoma Street, waving Russian Federation, Soviet and Imperial Russian flags before making their way to the heavily guarded city administration building chanting "Putin help us! Bring Yanukovych back!" and "Crimea, Donbass and Russia!"

"We want a referendum. We want democracy and self-determination," attendants told Anadolu Agency's reporter on the scene.  "All of us here want to be a part of Russia, but we have very little support from them," a protester who refused to give his name said. "I am Russian. I was born in the Soviet Union. I have nothing to do with Ukraine," he added.

The protesters said, however, that unlike Crimea, the Donbass regional separatists have little support from Moscow. 

Most of the estimated 5,000 attendants mixed fiery anti-Western rhetoric with calls for secession and the re-establishment of the Soviet Union.

"It was a conspiracy by the West to weaken our country. They destroyed it before and they're still trying to weaken us. Winston Churchill always wanted to destroy the greatness of Russia," an on looking taxi driver who gave his name as Vasily said. "Russians, Ukrainians and Belarusians...we're all the same people," he added.

After descending on the city's offices, the crowd was met by roughly 1,000 armor-clad riot police and after 20 minutes of exchanges with police officials the protesters dispersed.

Despite the inflammatory speeches, the rally lacked energy due to its low turnout and many of the protesters were unable to articulate their demands. 

Several passersby’s openly mocked the calls for a referendum and voiced concern about the number of skinheads visible in the crowd. 

"They're all crazy. I lived in Russia for years. I know what it's like there when you live in a provincial city. I know what sort of society (Russian President Vladimir) Putin wants. If they join Russia, they'll all have to shut up," local businessman Yura said on the sidelines of the protest.

Separatists’ demands have been heard in several eastern Ukrainian cities since pro-Moscow forces took control of the Crimean Peninsula in late February. Following Crimea's vote to join the Russia Federation violent secessionist protests have broken out in the mainly Russian-speaking cities Kharkiv, Donetsk and Odessa.

by Olga Engalycheva

englishnews@aa.com.tr