Following the electoral elation of last weekend, Eastern Ukraine continues embroiled in violence as pro-Russian and government forces battle for control of the region. Both sides have been battling for control over the region since Crimea was annexed by Russia.

Last weekend, the Russian majority in Eastern Ukraine voted on a referendum on autonomy from Kiev's pro-Western government. The results overwhelmingly supported autonomy and some pro-Russian leaders began calling for annexation by Moscow. However, Ukraine will not let go of its industrial heartland easily, disclaiming the referendum as invalid and skewed.

Fighting continues in the cities of Slovyansk and Mariupol as neighborhood and buildings exchange hands between protesters and government forces. According to The Associated Press, Ukraine's forces continue their onslaught into the east, taunting Russia. Yet, both sides are also in negotiations for an end to hostilities. The talks focused on the government's refusal to acknowledge the referendum results and what they signify.

Instead, Ukrainian forces battled separatist forces outside Slovyansk Friday night into Saturday, according to the AP. The use of heavy artillery and mortars was obvious the next day for craters scarred the surface outside the city. Though military efforts have yielded little results, AP reported that many in east Ukraine do support a united nation but fear the separatist forces to speak up.

But their actions speak louder. In Mariupol, steelworkers retook government buildings and removed separatist barricades. In another village, pro-government militia, dressed in black, took control of the police station and vowed to fight the separatists in the Donetsk region until they leave.

However, the damage caused by the crisis may be even greater. A new U.N. report, compiled by 34 monitors stationed in East Ukraine during the time between April 2 and May 6, reveals there is "an increasing tendency in some critical urban areas for rallies of opposing groups to be held simultaneously, often leading to violent confrontations," according to U.N. high commissioner for human rights Navi Pillay.

The 36-page report condemns the violence seen primarily against pro-government supporters in east Ukraine, who were victims of violence at the hand of separatists, according to CNN.

"In most cases, local police did nothing to prevent violence, while in some cases it openly cooperated with the attackers," the report further states.

Pillay urged "those with influence on the armed groups responsible for much of the violence in eastern Ukraine to do their utmost to rein in these men who seem bent on tearing the country apart." However, the report also covered the topic of those missing as well as killings and forced disappearances.