Eko Hot Blog reports that Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a law Wednesday introducing martial law in four Ukrainian regions the Kremlin claims to have annexed, in violation of international law.
The Ukrainian regions are Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhia.
Putin made the announcement of the martial law declaration during televised remarks to members of his Security Council on Wednesday as Ukrainian forces make gains in the war.
He, however, did not immediately spell out the steps that would be taken under martial law but said the measures were intended to increase the stability of the economy, industry, and production in support of Russia’s “special military operation” in Ukraine.
“We are working on solving very complex, large-scale tasks to ensure a reliable future for Russia, the future of our people,” the Russian leader said.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a Ukrainian presidential adviser, rejected the move and said Kyiv would continue its counteroffensives against Russian forces in Ukraine.
“‘Martial law’ implementation on the occupied territories by Russia should be considered only as a pseudo-legalisation of (the) looting of Ukrainians’ property,” he wrote on Twitter.
“This does not change anything for Ukraine: we continue the liberation and de-occupation of our territories.”
Putin also issued a separate order imposing restrictions on movement in and out of eight Russian regions adjoining Ukraine.
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