Up to 1,000 pro-Russian activists are currently staging a rally outside of the Kharkiv regional state administration's building on Freedom Square in Kharkiv.

The activists have extended their demands of a local referendum on federalization and claims that "the Kyiv authorities are illegal" with the demand that those 64 people detained during a recent counter-terrorism operation be released, an Interfax-Ukraine correspondent reported.

The entrance of the local administration's building and the territory around it are guarded by police officers.

A group of several dozens of people dressed mainly in sports suits, masks or balaclavas at about 18.20 on Tuesday made an attempt to get into the administration's backyard, but police managed to close the gates before they entered. Some activists tried to unsuccessfully get over the fence, others also attempted to break a fence section made of pig iron, but failed.