A standoff is now in its third day in eastern Ukraine.
That's where pro-Russian separatists have occupied a handful of government buildings across several cities.
They're demanding regional referendums on independence from the central government in Kiev.
... similar to the one that led to Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region last month.
(SOUNDBITE) (Russian) ANDREI, PROTESTER, SAYING:
"We have serious intentions to stand till the end, we have no other way anyway. Our country, Ukraine, has decided that we are terrorists, separatists. Every person who is here now…each of them know that there is no way back."
The occupation in one of the cities, Kharkiv, is said to be over.
But in the mining center of Donetsk, home base to deposed pro-Russian President Viktor Yanukovich, the standoff continues.
Protesters were said to be preparing petrol bombs.
Some have automatic rifles.
Ukraine's Interior minister says the crisis will
