"On May 11, [2014] the armed separatist forces, in the guise of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” and the “Luhansk People’s Republic” held “referendums” on their “sovereignty.” According to the organizers, the question was approved by 89% of those voting in Donetsk region, and by 96% inLuhansk region, with a turnout of 75%. No international observers monitored the vote, and witnesses reported rampant irregularities. The leaders of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” and the “Luhansk People’s Republic” declared their entities to be sovereign states after the vote." Steven Woehrel, "Ukraine: Current Issues and U.S. Policy" September 4, 2014