(VOVworld) - Incumbent PM Aleksander Zakharchenko is leading in Sunday’s elections in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) in eastern Ukraine.

Incumbent PM Aleksandr Zakharchenko is leading in Sunday’s elections

Zakharchenko is ahead of his rivals with 81.37% of votes counted, said the Central Election Commission of the DPR on Sunday evening. Meanwhile, the lead in the parliamentary elections – also held on Sunday – is being claimed by Zakharchenko's Donetsk Republic party, which has more than 65% of votes. The Ukrainian government refused to acknowledge any election results and threatened to cut gas supply to this region. The EU also warned of increasing sanctions against Russia if Moscow validates the election results.