You're reading: Washington Post: Ukrainians mark patriotic holiday ahead of separatist referendum

 Ukrainians marked an important patriotic holiday Friday with solemn graveside tributes to those who gave their lives fighting Nazi Germany for the Soviet Union, but there were few of the usual grand parades because of security concerns. With little sign of the clashes that many had feared, the holiday seemed to offer a reprieve after days of escalating violence between pro-Russian separatists and supporters of a united Ukraine. Amid mixed messages of conciliation and menace from Russia, however, it was not clear how long the calm might last ahead of an independence referendum scheduled for Sunday in restive eastern Ukraine. Pro-Russian separatists have vowed to proceed with the vote despite a call by Russian President Vladimir Putin to postpone the referendum.

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