There was more bloodshed in eastern Ukraine, Friday, as government troops battled pro-Russian separatists in the city of Mariupol. The separatists are pushing ahead with a referendum on Sunday despite the bloodshed and even criticism from Russian president, Vladimir Putin. What do they hope to achieve? There was more bloodshed in eastern Ukraine, Friday, as government troops battled pro-Russian separatists in the city of Mariupol. The separatists are pushing ahead with a referendum on Sunday despite the bloodshed and even criticism from Russian president, Vladimir Putin. What do they hope to achieve?