Two breakaway Ukrainian regions on Saturday announced their merger as the new country of New Russia, even as fears grew that separatist elements in the region could destabilize Ukrainian presidential elections set for the next day, according to dpa. Donetsk and Luhansk - which voted to break away from Ukraine earlier this month in a referendum contested by Ukraine and the international community - signed a contract in the city of Donetsk, in a heavily guarded ceremony only accessible to Russian state television. The agreement would form a country of 6.5 million people. The move is seen by Ukraine and its Western supporters as a provocation, especially coming one day before the country's first presidential elections since the last elected president, Viktor Yanukovych, fled Kiev amid pro-Western protests earlier this year. The separatists argue that they have closer ties to Russia, which is widely believed to be lending support to their movement. Russia already annexed another former Ukrainian region - Crimea - after separatists took control there in March. Armed pro-Russian separatists on Saturday occupied an administrative building in the eastern city of Donetsk, local media reported. Some 50 armed men were involved in the night-time operation. No one was injured. There were also unconfirmed reports that militants had been seen at a hospital in Donetsk where government soldiers are being treated. The separatists have refused to recognize the election and threatened to derail the vote. -- SPA 19:28 LOCAL TIME 16:28 GMT تغريد
