Ukraine: Two Killed Ahead Of Crimea Vote

Two people have been shot dead in clashes between pro-Kiev and pro-Moscow activists in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv.

Ukraine's interim interior minister said the two men, aged 20 and 31, were killed and several others wounded during the late-night gun battle.

Arsen Avakov wrote on his official Facebook page that around 30 people "from both sides" were arrested.

He accused Russian activists of provoking the clashes, urging Ukrainians not to be goaded into fighting back.

Mr Avakov wrote: "Don't let them manipulate you! Stop this hysteria... This isn't a game of toy soldiers - this is a real conflict and people's real lives."

Thousands of anti-war protesters have gathered in central Moscow

Violence has escalated in the Russian-speaking east of the country since Moscow's military invention in Ukraine's Crimean peninsula following the ousting of Kremlin ally, President Viktor Yanukoych last month.

Sunday's referendum on Crimea joining the Russian Federation have further ratcheted up the tensions.

A day ahead of the planned vote, tens of thousands of people took to the streets of Moscow to protest against Russian intervention in Ukraine.

Protesters, waving Ukrainian flags, called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to withdraw troops from Crimea.

An estimated 15,000 people staged a rival rally nearby in support of Putin.

Speakers at the pro-Putin rally denounced Ukrainian "fascists"

The clashes in Kharkiv were the second turn fatal this week, after on person was killed and at least 17 wounded in the eastern city of Donetsk on Thursday.

Friday's gun battle reportedly broke out after pro-Russian activists attempted to storm the headquarters of a Ukrainian nationalist group.

Russian state news agency Itar Tass said the shots were fired from the offices of the far-right group, Right Sector.

It said the nationalists later surrendered.

Ukraine's east has seen regular clashes between rival groups in recent days

The Russian Foreign Ministry's special representative for human rights, Konstantin Dolgov, responded to the fatalities by calling on Ukraine to outlaw all ultra-nationalist groups.

Using the Russian spelling of Kharkiv, Mr Dolgov wrote on Twitter: "Arresting neo-fascists in Kharkov should mark the beginning of large-scale activities to neutralise and punish the extremists who are getting out of hand."

Russian media is increasingly referring to nationalist groups such as Right Sector to illustrate an apparent fascist threat to Russians in eastern Ukraine.

Moscow justified last week's military occupation of Crimea by saying it wished to protect ethnic Russians.

It has also said it hasn't ruled out moving its troops further afield to protect its compatriots.

Mr Lavrov and Mr Kerry could find no common ground on the Crimean vote

US Secretary of State John Kerry met Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov in London on Friday in an attempt to diffuse the crisis.

But the talks, lasting more than five hours, failed to reach a deal.

Russia's promise to "respect" the outcome of the referendum in Crimea has angered Western powers who have branded the vote "illegal" and "Illegitimate."

US Secretary of State John Kerry said Russia's approval of the referendum result would amount to "a backdoor annexation of Crimea".

Ballots are already being counted ahead of Sunday's referendum

America and the European Union have warned Russia of sanctions, including asset freezes and travel bans unless the vote is called off.

Foreign Secretary William Hague said: "The United Kingdom is strongly of the view that there must be a firm and united response from the European Union… and that the time has come for tougher restrictive measures to be adopted as previously agreed by EU nations."

Mr Lavrov has said such measures would be a "counter-productive instrument".

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