Pro-Russian protesters occupy TV building in eastern Ukraine

A pro-Russian protester holds a sign during a rally in Donetsk, Eastern Ukraine, April 27, 2014. [Photo/Agencies]

Ukraine crisis

KIEV -- Hundreds of pro-Russian protesters stormed and occupied a regional television station building in Ukraine's eastern city of Donetsk Sunday afternoon, the Interfax-Ukraine news agency reported.

The protesters broke the gate of the building and entered the regional television facility as about 30 policemen stood idle nearby and did not intervene, it said.

Some 500 protesters gathered in front of the building, chanting slogans like "Russia!" and "Kiev cannot administer Donetsk!" and demanding the television station broadcast Russian TV programs, instead of Ukrainian programs.

Some people hoisted a flag of "the People's Republic of Donetsk" on the top of the building.

Earlier this month, pro-Russian protesters staged a rally to demand a referendum and some protesters complained that the television station did not give them a chance to speak.