Ethnic breakdowns of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine

[Tommy_Carcetti]

Donetsk: 56.9% Ukrainian, 38.2% Russian (Census figures on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Donetsk)
Luhansk: 58.0% Ukrainian, 39.1% Russian (Census figures on http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luhansk_Oblast)

Purported results of Sunday's referendum on secession in Ukraine, at least according to Russia Today*:

Donetsk: 89.07% for secession, 10.19% against
Luhansk: 96.2% for secession, 3.8% against (presumably, although RT doesn't specifically list that figure)

Supposed turnout in Donetsk was 74.87% and 75% in Luhansk.

http://rt.com/news/158276-referendum-results-east-ukraine/

Now factor in that there were no international observers, no verified voting rolls, no watermarked ballots, and the fact that these regions are currently in a state of combat between the Ukrainian army and armed militants, can anyone honestly believe in their heart this vote was in any way, shape or form legitimate?

If so, please explain, because I would just love to hear it.



*Cited not for the matter of the truth asserted, but only for the assertions themselves.

[William769]

1. kick & recommended.

[FarCenter]

2. What is the religious breakdown?

What percentages are Orthodox Kiev Patriarchate, Orthodox Moscow Patriarchate, and Greek Catholics?

[Tommy_Carcetti]

3. Not sure.

Orthodox--of both the Ukrainian and Russian variety--are the dominant religions in that area but I don't know the breakdown.

[FarCenter]

4. And neither get along with the Catholics in Galicia and Ruthenia.

[Tommy_Carcetti]

6. Russian Orthodox moreso.

I recall several years ago when the Pope came to visit Ukraine. The Ukrainian Catholics were of course hosting him. The Ukrainian Orthodox sent a welcoming party as well.

And the Russian Orthodox for some odd reason raised holy hell about his visit, why I'm not quite clear.

[FarCenter]

7. The border between the Austro-Hungarian Catholic Empire and Russian Orthodox Empire is in Ukraine

The western provinces were in Austro-Hungary before WW I and later in Czechoslovakia and Poland until after WW II.

Populations in what is now Ukraine played a large role in Ukraine Nationalist versus White Russian versus Red Army combat after WW I. Ukraine was a focus of ethnic combat during WW II, with Jews being liquidated, but also with Ukraine versus Pole combat, as well as Ukrainians participating on both German and Russian sides.

[joeybee12]

5. Was it 1991 when 90% of the Ukranian people voted to remain separate from Russia?

And now we're supposed to believe these large majorities want back in? Putin knows suckers when he sees them.