Pro-Moscow rebels expressed confidence that eastern Ukraine had chosen self-rule in a referendum yesterday, with some saying that meant independence and others eventual union with Russia as fighting flared.

Some 90% of voters in a key industrial region in eastern Ukraine have come out in favour of sovereignty, pro-Russian insurgents said.

Ukrainian national guardsmen have opened fire on a crowd outside a town hall in eastern Ukraine and an official for the region’s insurgents said there were fatalities.

A pro-Russia insurgency in east Ukraine has decided to go ahead with a referendum on autonomy despite a call from Russian president Vladimir Putin to delay the vote.