Election Officials Count Vote In Eastern Ukraine Sovereignty Referendum

WS, election officials celebrate. An election official counts votes in a polling station in the Lenin Palace of Culture in Slovyansk in eastern Ukraine following the closing of polls for a “sovereignty referendum”. Officials said they expected more than 85 percent in favor of the referendum granting regional autonomy and possible independence from Ukraine. The United States, many European nations and the government in Kiev all condemned the referendum, saying it was illegal and likely to worsen the violence in eastern Ukraine between pro-Russian groups and the central government. (Footage by John Moore/Getty Images)