Armed pro-Russian separatists who took control of police headquarters in the eastern Ukrainian town of Konstantinovka have also seized the town's administration building, a spokesman for the regional government has said.
"I think it is the usual demands, the same as in other towns, the scenario doesn't change: a referendum and a federal system of government," said Ilya Suzdaliyev, a spokesman for the Donetsk region administration, which includes Konstantinovka.
About 20 gunmen wearing camouflage fatigues and masks appeared to be controlling the town administration building, an eyewitness reported.
Earlier Monday, pro-Russian separatists seized the Konstantinovka police headquarters.
The men entered the building on Monday morning and refused to let employees enter the premises, Ukrainian television channel TSN reported.
"About 30 separatists came to the local police headquarters and occupied the ground floor. Negotiations are underway with the local police chief. We do not know what their demands are," said Interior Ministry spokeswoman Laryssa Volkova.
Konstantinovka, a town with a population of about 100,000, is located 60 kilometers from Donetsk, where separatists have seized a number of administrative buildings in recent weeks.
Material from The Moscow Times was included in this report.
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.