Several hundred demonstrators have gathered near the monument to Vladimir Lenin on Freedom Square in Kharkiv to demand that a referendum be held on the Ukrainian southeastern regions' broad autonomy and self-government.
The demonstrators are holding flags of the Borotba association, as well as banners imitating Russian victory ribbons, banners of infantry divisions and two Ukrainian flags with Russian victory ribbons.
They are chanting: “Referendum!” “Russia!”
Speakers address the audience from an improvised stage, demanding a referendum and criticizing the interim Ukrainian government. A speaker said that military and defense spending has been increased at the expense of ordinary citizens and their social guarantees, not at the expense of billionaires or oligarchs. Another demanded that “neo-Nazi formations be immediately disarmed.”
