Rebel leaders in Donetsk vowed Thursday to hold an independence referendum Sunday, despite Russian President Vladimir Putin's request to delay the vote. 

Denis Pushilin, the so-called prime minister of the Donetsk People's Republic, said the vote would go ahead as planned. 

According to The Telegraph, the unanimous decision was put forth by the "Donestsk People's Council" and could escalate the worsening Ukrainian conflict by making the break-up of the country a possibility. 

Donetsk, which is the most populous region of the country with 4.5 million people and a strong industrial economy, will vote on whether or not to become an autonomous republic and possibly join Russia. 

If Pushilin's strategy is successful, Donetsk, a region of 10,000 square miles, will break away from Ukraine. 

Pushilin announced the rejection of Putin's wishes at a press conference in a regional government building Thursday. 

He said that a "person who indeed cares for the people" suggested delaying the referendum, but he described himself as a "bullhorn of the people" and said the "popular will" is to hold the vote Sunday. 

"We are waiting for provocations -- even today we are waiting for them," he added. "But despite this, the population wants to have the referendum. There are millions of people waiting to cast their votes."

"We have not had direct contact with President Putin," Pushilin continued. "We have had our meeting. And now we are having our press conference, and he is going to be aware of the decision."

Pushilin said the People's Republic is at war with what he described as a "junta" in Kiev. The rebellion is spurred by a fear of Ukraine's allegedly "fascist" government and Russian nationalism, as there are many native Russian-speakers in East Ukraine. 

However, the rebels intend to go through with the vote to show that they're independent. It will also strengthen Putin's argument that he does not have control over events in Donetsk. 

The People's Republic claims that 1,200 polling stations, and 53 counting centers are ready to receive three million ballot papers that have been printed. 

Meanwhile, Ukraine's army has deployed the national army to quell the rebellion, and security forces may be able to stop the referendum from occurring. 

The People's Republic are anticipating more violent conflict and are therefore strengthening their headquarters in Donetsk by arming men with Kalashnikov assault riles. On Thursday, six men in military camouflage went into the building carrying guns and what appeared to be night vision equipment. 

The question on the ballot asks voters if they want independence for Donetsk. However, polling has shown that only a minority of the Ukrainian public wants autonomy from Ukraine and a union with Russia.