Putin introduces martial law in DPR, LPR, Kherson and Zaporozhye regions

MOSCOW. Oct 19 (Interfax) - Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree introducing martial law on the territories of the Lugansk and Donetsk People's Republics, the Kherson region, and the Zaporozhye region.

Putin announced the signing of the decree at a meeting of the Russian Security Council.

"Martial law was in place" on these territories "before they joined Russia," he said. "We now need to legalize this state in accordance with Russian legislation. Therefore, I have signed a decree introducing martial law in these four regions of Russia," Putin said.

The decree "will be immediately sent to the Federation Council for approval," he said. "The State Duma has been informed about the decision, too," Putin said.

The Kremlin press service has released the full text of the decree:

"Bearing in mind that military force is being used against the territorial integrity of the Russian Federation, I decree in accordance with Part 2 of Article 87 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation and Articles 3 and 4 of the federal constitutional law No. 1-FKZ On Martial Law of January 30, 2002:

1. Martial law shall be introduced on the territories of the Donetsk People's Republic, the Lugansk People's Republic, the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions from 00:01 a.m. on October 20, 2022.

2. The government of the Russian Federation, in accordance with the proposals of the Defense Ministry of the Russian Federation, the Interior Ministry of the Russian Federation, the Emergency Situations Ministry of the Russian Federation, the Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation, the Federal National Guard Troops Service of the Russian Federation, and the Main Directorate of Special Programs of the President of the Russian Federation shall submit within three days proposals on measures applied on the territories where martial law has been introduced.

3. Other measures envisaged by the federal constitutional law No. 1-FKZ On Martial Law of January 30, 2002 can be taken in the Russian Federation in the period of martial law if need be.

4. This Decree is immediately sent to the Federation Council of the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation for approval.

5. This Decree takes effect immediately."