Putin Declares Martial Law In Four Partially Occupied Regions Of Ukraine
Russian President Vladimir Putin reportedly declared martial law on Wednesday in four partially occupied regions of Ukraine that Russia claims as its own, according to Reuters.
Martial law is a military government, involving the suspension of ordinary law, according to Oxford Dictionary.
Although Russia has unilaterally annexed and does not fully control any of the four regions – Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia – it is imposing martial law there as if they were Russian territories.
The law that Putin invoked, dating from 2002, has never been used and can be implemented only if Russia faces aggression or the “immediate threat of aggression”.
Martial Law in Russian context:
Martial law in Russia automatically entails a general or partial mobilisation of troops.
A partial mobilisation has already taken place in Russia and has been extended to the occupied regions, so it is unclear if more men will be called up.
Authorities will have the power to enact measures to “meet the needs of Russia’s armed forces”, and “territorial defence” will be carried out.
Ukrainian authorities say they believe Putin’s decree was intended to enable Russia to Ukrainians who’ve remained in occupied territory. The move would be in breach of the Geneva Conventions on conduct in war.
Martial law allows the authorities to curb movement and set curfews confining people to their homes.
The laws would also mean checkpoints and vehicle inspections, while authorities would have the power to detain people for up to 30 days.
Russian-installed officials in Kherson had already announced a seven-day ban on civilians entering the region.
Vladimir Saldo, head of the Russian-installed administration, was quoted by state-run news agency TASS as saying a curfew was not needed for now, shortly before confirming that he was handing over authority to the military.
The measures may also allow the forcible relocation of people to other regions, according to Chikov.
Russian law allows for the temporary “resettlement” of residents to safe areas and the evacuation of “objects of economic, social and cultural significance”.
Vladimir Saldo announced on Wednesday that 50 000 – 60 000 people would be evacuated from part of the Kherson region over the next six days as a Ukrainian counteroffensive gathers pace.
