Top World Issues Today
In Donetsk's Lenin Square, Yuroslav Korotenko keeps a constant vigil inside a collapsible shelter set up just a few feet away from a monolithic statue of Soviet leader Vladimir Lenin.
"We stay here and save this monument and this place, because people in the West come this place with war," Korotenko says. "People from Donetsk think about peace with Russian Federation and don't want war in our town."
Korotenko portrays him self as a guardian of the square, in which countless numbers of pro-Russian demonstrators have retained weekly demonstrations in support of a referendum to join Russia and in resistance to the government formed in Ukraine after former president Viktor Yanukovych absconded to Russia.
"People don't accept the new government that is now in Kiev," said Alex Yoktov, a Donetsk native who attends the rallies. "It's like one oligarch switched to another oligarch in the government."
Yoktov said the Euromaidan action in the capital Kiev utilized violence and "extremists to get to power." The Euromaidan protests in Kiev were held during the past several months to necessitate closer integration alongside the EU.
Home to about two million men and women, Donetsk is a major economic, economic and scientific heart in the east operating about 80 kilometres from Russia.
In early March, the city council of Donetsk called for a referendum upon the long-term of the area to "safeguard the people from likely terrible actions on the account of radicalized nationalistic forces."
The council mentioned that it considers Russia a strategic companion.
Yoktov said he feels closer to Russia than Europe. "It's like local relations. We are the same people as in Russia. They're our brothers." Many people in the region, including Yoktov, have relatives in Russia.
Vitalik, standing guard at a Ukrainian police checkpoint about 20 kilometers outside Donetsk with about eight Ukrainians fears war, too. He didn't want to
"We stay here and save this monument and this place, because people in the West come this place with war," Korotenko says. "People from Donetsk think about peace with Russian Federation and don't want war in our town."
Korotenko portrays him self as a guardian of the square, in which countless numbers of pro-Russian demonstrators have retained weekly demonstrations in support of a referendum to join Russia and in resistance to the government formed in Ukraine after former president Viktor Yanukovych absconded to Russia.
"People don't accept the new government that is now in Kiev," said Alex Yoktov, a Donetsk native who attends the rallies. "It's like one oligarch switched to another oligarch in the government."
Yoktov said the Euromaidan action in the capital Kiev utilized violence and "extremists to get to power." The Euromaidan protests in Kiev were held during the past several months to necessitate closer integration alongside the EU.
Home to about two million men and women, Donetsk is a major economic, economic and scientific heart in the east operating about 80 kilometres from Russia.
In early March, the city council of Donetsk called for a referendum upon the long-term of the area to "safeguard the people from likely terrible actions on the account of radicalized nationalistic forces."
The council mentioned that it considers Russia a strategic companion.
Yoktov said he feels closer to Russia than Europe. "It's like local relations. We are the same people as in Russia. They're our brothers." Many people in the region, including Yoktov, have relatives in Russia.
Vitalik, standing guard at a Ukrainian police checkpoint about 20 kilometers outside Donetsk with about eight Ukrainians fears war, too. He didn't want to