Vladimir Putin, the president of Russia, imposed martial law in the four regions of Ukraine that Moscow had annexed and granted all Russian regional governors emergency powers, which allowed for the introduction of broad new restrictions across the region.
Putin said his directive would go into force on Thursday but did not immediately outline the procedures that would be followed.
His decree gave law enforcement agencies three days to submit specific proposals and ordered the creation of territorial defence forces in the annexed regions.
Putin’s decision to establish martial law in the regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia that were annexed received swift approval from the upper chamber of the Russian parliament.
According to the approved legislation, the declaration may result in limitations on public meetings and travel, tougher censorship, and increased power for law enforcement.
“We are working to solve very difficult large-scale tasks to ensure Russia’s security and safe future, to protect our people,” Putin said in televised remarks at the start of a Security Council meeting.
“Those who are serving on the front lines or receiving training at ranges and training facilities should feel our support and know that they have our vast, wonderful country and a united people on their side.”
Putin made no mention of the additional authority that his edict would grant to the regional leaders. But according to the decree, martial law-style measures could be used everywhere in Russia “when necessary.
According to Russian law, martial law may call for censorship, travel bans, curfews, and the prohibition of large public meetings, among other limitations.
Putin’s decision, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, does not foresee the closing of Russia’s borders, official news outlet RIA-Novosti said. Regional authorities hurried to declare that no immediate curfews or travel restrictions were planned in an apparent effort to calm a tense populace.
Putin ordered the mobilisation of army reservists last month, which led to the exodus of hundreds of thousands of men from Russia.
The Russian leader also ordered the establishment of a Coordination Committee to increase interactions between government agencies in dealing with the fighting in Ukraine, which Putin continued to call a “special military operation.
The committee will concentrate on increasing supply of weaponry and military equipment, carrying out building work, and improving transportation, according to Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, who was appointed to chair the group.
According to Andrei Kartapolov, head of the military committee of the Russian lower house of parliament, authorities intend to increase security at vital institutions and check drivers in the regions of Russia that border Ukraine.
Putin imposes martial law in Ukraine’s annexation-affected areas.
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