As Ukraine continues advancing into four of its illegally annexed eastern-border regions, Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday declared martial law in the occupied territories.
The decree will be implemented in the regions of Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia, which were annexed last month in sham referendums. Although the move requires approval from Russia’s Federation Council, Putin said the order will take effect Thursday, according to Reuters.
Mykhailo Podolyak, a Ukrainian advisor to President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, dismissed the order on Twitter: "This does not change anything for Ukraine: we continue the liberation and de-occupation of our territories."
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The Order: To be led by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, Putin ordered a special coordinating council be created and increased the power of Russia’s more than 80 regional governors.
In a televised speech to the Kremlin’s Security Council, Putin indicated the move is intended to thwart terrorist attacks, referencing the Kerch bridge, which was partially destroyed by an explosion Oct. 8.
“It was the Ukrainian special services that organized the explosion on the Crimean bridge. We also prevented terrorist attacks in other regions of Russia,” Putin said. The Russian leader then went on to tell his council that martial law was in place prior to the annexation of the territories before stating:
“We need to formalize this regime already within the framework of the Russian legislation. Therefore, I signed a decree on the introduction of martial law in these four entities of the Russian federation. It will be immediately sent to the Federation Council for approval.”
What It Means: Under the order, travel and public gathering restrictions may come into effect, as well as stricter censorship and increased power for the regions’ law enforcement, according to The Washington Post.
Vladimir Saldo, the Russian-installed governor of Kherson, said he would be transferring power to the military, according to Reuters, after ordering the evacuation of civilians in the area due to an impending Ukrainian attack.
The decree also signaled similar measures could be implemented in Russia, although Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said closing Russia’s borders isn’t anticipated.
The Kremlin appears increasingly desperate amid heavy setbacks for the Russian military and strong Ukrainian advances. A report that Putin has ordered his military and police services to abduct men from Russia’s streets to fight in Ukraine indicates anti-war sentiment among Russia’s population may be increasing.
Meanwhile, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging Ukrainians to make “a very conscious” effort to save power.
Zelenskyy tweeted Tuesday that, since Oct. 10, 30% of Ukraine's power stations have been destroyed, causing massive blackouts across the country.
"No space left for negotiations with Putin's regime," he said. See below.
Another kind of Russian terrorist attacks: targeting energy & critical infrastructure. Since Oct 10, 30% of Ukraine’s power stations have been destroyed, causing massive blackouts across the country. No space left for negotiations with Putin's regime. @United24media pic.twitter.com/LN4A2GYgCK
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) October 18, 2022
