DONETSK, Ukraine - The separatist-controlled territories of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine voted Sunday for new leaders and legislators in an election backed by Russia but called "illegitimate" by Kiev and the West, which have refused to recognize the vote.

Separatist authorities argue that the vote in the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk "People's Republics" will legitimize their fledgling statelets. It is the first opportunity for pro-Russian separatists to choose their leaders since a slipshod referendum on independence was held here in May.

"These elections on Nov. 2 will be the breakthrough moment when our state becomes legitimate,” the Donetsk separatists' acting leader and a favorite to win in Sunday's election, Alexander Zakharchenko, told a crowd of loyalists this week.

The West's strong condemnation of Sunday's vote and the ongoing hostilities, now in their seventh month, didn't keep people in Donetsk and surrounding cities from lining up to cast their ballots when the polls opened at 8 a.m., local time. Lines of hundreds of people snaked through yards outside schools where the ballot boxes were kept and guarded by several gunmen clad in military garb.

Voters were to choose a new leader and new legislature in both Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Zakharchenko is expected to win Sunday's vote by a wide margin, becoming the breakaway region of Donetsk's first president. Meanwhile, Igor Plotnitsky is the favorite to win in neighboring Luhansk.

Donetsk election

Evgeny Feldman is a staff photographer for the Russian publication Novaya Gazeta.