Rallies held in Ukraine as Crimea prepares for referendum

Pro-Russian rallies are being held in the Eastern Ukrainian cities of Donetsk and Kharkiv, while Crimea is preparing for a referendum devoted to the republic's official status. The Crimean authorities are seeking membership of the Russian Federation.

The referendum has been condemned by the Ukrainian government, the UN, the US, the EU and the OSCE as a violation of international law and the Ukrainian Constitution.

On Sunday, Ukraine's Supreme Rada declared it had dismissed the Crimean parliament. The Ukrainian government is also going to start legal action against Russia, which supports Crimea's right to become a part of the Russian Federation.