Ukraine rebel vote "crucial" for Donetsk residents Pro-Russian separatists controlling swathes of east Ukraine are set to hold leadership polls Sunday that Moscow has backed despite condemnation from Kiev and the West. While insurgent leaders hope the first elections in their wantaway "republics" will show they have popular support, Ukraine and the West fear the ballot is being staged to drag the Russian-speaking industrial east further from the grip of Kiev's pro-Western government. IMAGES AND SOUNDBITES