Pro-Russian militants across Ukraine’s eastern regions are continuing to shun calls for an amnesty.

A day after a deadline expired to lay down their weapons, demonstrations against Kyiv appear to be growing in size and strength.

After seizing government building in Donetsk, protestors have set-up checkpoints on the outskirts of the city, stopping and searching for anyone or anything that might hinder their self-declared independence from Kyiv.

In Kharkiv and Luhansk, sandbags, bricks and razor wires line the regional administration headquarters as demonstrators fear a raid by police units loyal to Kyiv.

The threat of the use of force appears far off following the prime minister’s visit to the region on Friday and his offer of talks to help end the crisis.

But protesters say their want nothing short of a referendum like Crimea, and are determined to remain put until the government meets their demands.