Putin Declares Martial Law in Four Regions of Ukraine

On Wednesday, Russian president Vladimir Putin declared martial law upon four regions of Ukraine that have been allegedly annexed by Moscow.

“I signed a decree to introduce martial law in these four subjects of the Russian Federation,” claimed Putin to Russia’s Security Council in a televised meeting.

The four annexed regions he was referring to are Donetsk, Luhansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson.

These regions held referendums last month on whether or not to join Russia.

Ukraine called the controversial referendums ‘illegitimate.’

Putin’s declaration gives the Regional Russian governors emergency powers to implement new restrictions throughout Ukraine.

Putin also accused the Ukrainians of using “terrorist methods,” by arranging assassinations against reps of local authorities, and sabotaging vital facilities.

BREAKING: Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared martial law in the four regions of Ukraine that Moscow annexed. The move may involve restrictions on travel and public gatherings and tighter censorship. https://t.co/94zA4ntvST

— The Associated Press (@AP) October 19, 2022

AP News has the breaking story:

Russian President Vladimir Putin declared martial law Wednesday in the four regions of Ukraine that Moscow annexed and gave all regional governors in Russia emergency powers that open the door for sweeping new restrictions throughout the country.

Putin didn’t immediately spell out the steps that would be taken under martial law, but said his order was effective starting Thursday. His decree gave law enforcement agencies three days to submit specific proposals and orders the creation of territorial defense forces in the annexed regions.

https://twitter.com/ivan_8848/status/1582756026960343040?s=20&t=xzdaheuASwU3gOn3X7OESA

MOSCOW (AP) — Russian President Vladimir Putin declares martial law in annexed regions of Ukraine, giving Kremlin tighter control.

— Jonathan Lemire (@JonLemire) October 19, 2022

BREAKING: Putin declares martial law in 4 Ukrainian regions claimed by Russia

— BNO News (@BNONews) October 19, 2022

#BREAKING Putin says martial law is introduced in four "new regions" that were annexed from #Ukraine

— Guy Elster (@guyelster) October 19, 2022

Putin says he's introducing martial law in the four partially occupied Ukrainian regions he annexed last month. This is portrayed as a technicality – he said it de facto already exists – but is a clear response to recent military setbacks as Ukraine's counteroffensive advances. pic.twitter.com/zTOanR1N1C

— max seddon (@maxseddon) October 19, 2022

Putin has begun speaking. He is announcing the introduction of martial law in the four regions that were "annexed" from Ukraine.

— Andrew Roth (@Andrew__Roth) October 19, 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared martial law in the four partially occupied regions of Ukraine that Moscow claims to have annexed. ⚡️https://t.co/aDvX2xccSJ

— The Moscow Times (@MoscowTimes) October 19, 2022

President Vladimir Putin of Russia declared martial law in four regions of Ukraine that Moscow recently annexed but that it does not fully control, and handed more power to regional governors in border areas.https://t.co/IAhZiSaq3h

— The New York Times (@nytimes) October 19, 2022

BREAKING: Russian President Putin declares martial law in the four regions of Ukraine illegally annexed by Moscow last month, as his military struggles to maintain its grip on territory amid Ukrainian advances. https://t.co/aVzW6gVjR1

— NBC News (@NBCNews) October 19, 2022

NBC News also reported on Putin’s announcement:

“Now we need to formalize this regime within the framework of Russian legislation. Therefore, I signed a decree on the introduction of martial law in these four subjects of the Russian Federation,” he said on national television.

Speaking to his Security Council, Putin announced the immediate declaration of martial law in Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk and Donetsk, as well as the establishment of a new state coordination council aimed at fulfilling the objectives of his so-called special military operation.

Today, Putin's decree not only introduced martial law in 4 partially Russian-occupied regions of #Ukraine, but also introduces three separate governance and security regimes in #Russia:

A quick thread:

1/xhttps://t.co/xBWYyKERch pic.twitter.com/LPvGdkwFs5

— Alex Kokcharov (@AlexKokcharov) October 19, 2022