Putin declares martial law in four Russia-annexed territories of Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin introduced martial law in Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye and Kherson, the four Ukrainian territories that were annexed by Moscow administration at the end of last month.

According to a presidential decree signed by Putin, the martial law will come into effect on Friday, Russia’s state-owned TASS news agency reported.

On Sept.30, Putin signed the accession agreements of the four occupied Ukrainian regions that have voted in favor of joining to Russia in referendums held at the end of last month. Western countries denounced the move, declaring it “illegal”.

The Russian President also signed a decree on measures to improve the effectiveness of the authorities of the four regions under martial law, TASS said. 

“The governors of the four regions will be required to pay the necessary attention to the implementation of measures to ensure the people’s safety, as well as to the protection of critically important facilities, greater stability of the economy, and the organization and expansion of the manufacturing of products necessary for the special military operation,” Putin said.