Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday declared martial law in four regions of Ukraine recently annexed by Moscow.
The upper house of Russia’s parliament quickly endorsed Putin’s decision to impose martial law in the annexed Donetsk, Kherson, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions. The approved legislation indicated the declaration may involve restrictions on travel and public gatherings and broader authority for law enforcement agencies.
The decree also allows for the residents of those territories to be moved to "safe zones.”
"We are working on solving very complex large-scale tasks to ensure security and protect the future of Russia," Putin said.
“Those who are on the frontlines or undergoing training at firing ranges and training centers should feel our support and know that they have our big, great country and unified people behind their back.”
The Russian leader on Wednesday also ordered the establishment of a Coordination Committee to increase interactions between government agencies in dealing with the fighting in Ukraine.
