Here are some quick takeaways from an eventful day in Eastern Ukraine
-- As has already been widely reported, today's vote in Ukraine's separatist republics will not be recognized by the West. From the point of view of the leaders of the self-proclaimed "DNR" and "LNR" however, this may be irrelevant, because Moscow has given every indication that it will recognize them. In theory, this will allow Moscow to more publicly deal with the separatists as a government separate from Ukraine.
-- Drawing official turnout figures will be nearly impossible. Nonetheless, reports on the ground showed long lines of people and in interviews, many were less enchanted with separatist leaders than bitterly angry with Ukraine's leadership in Kyiv. The war in eastern Ukraine has taken a heavy toll and it is clear that many in Donetsk and Luhansk blame Ukraine.
-- In the weeks leading up to this vote, many had talked about it signaling the start of a long-running frozen conflict, with de-facto borders. However, reports that Russian military personnel and equipment are again entering Ukraine in large numbers may mean something altogether different. Separatist leaders have said they plan to reclaim lost territories and also the important port city of Mariupol. And its not just about land -- areas currently in Ukrainian control have resources that may be necessary to maintain viable services, including electricity.
-- Russia appears to be testing the West again. The vote today was a clear violation of the Minsk agreement, signed by Russia, which stipulated that early elections in separatist-controlled areas of Donetsk and Luhansk would have to take place under Ukrainian law. Does the EU -- now distracted by other international events -- have the wherewithal to continue, and add to, the sanctions already in place against Russia? What is the EU prepared to do if Russia escalates the conflict militarily?
"DNR" exit polls: Zakharchenko gets 81%
According to the exit poll results provided by the self-proclaimed republic's election commission, the current self-styled PM has been elected to continue to lead the separatist republic. His party has also dominated the vote for the so-called Supreme Soviet, winning 65 percent.
Marton Gyongyosy, an "observer" from Hungary's far-right Jobbik party, tells RT "from an organizational standpoint, these elections were carried out at a high level despite the fact that they took place under such unusual circumstances."
He also once said this:
Voting has ended in Donetsk, but on a cold night few seem to have turned out for the party in the city's central square.
Russian Duma to 'definitely' interact with separatist "republics"
Frants Klintsevich, one of United Russia's leaders in the Duma says "the elections confirmed that the republics' leaders were in charge and legitimized them," according to Interfax. "We will definitely interact with them as we do with any legitimate government."
More from Poroshenko's statement, which can be found in Ukrainian here:
"The farce being conducted under the threat of tanks and guns by the two terrorist organizations in parts of Donbas is a terrible event that has nothing to do with real will.'
"All elections on Ukrainian territory where Ukrainian citizens are voting must take place exclusively under Ukrainian law," he said.