I note that Ukraine overwhelmingly (92.3%) voted for independence at the end of 1991.
According to Wikipedia 55% of “ethnic Russians” (a category open to interpretation?) voted for independence. Every oblast with the exception of Crimea did so comfortably - well over 80% - including Donetsk and Luhansk. Crimea stands out as just 54% voted in favor there.
So two questions:
Are the results of this referendum considered reliable? I.E. was there manipulation or rigging?
Is there any reliable data to suggest that such sentiment has significantly changed in the last thirty years, especially with regards to Donetsk, Luhansk and Crimea? In other words, how can we accurately assess the actual popularity of the separatist agendas in these regions today?