Russian President Vladimir Putin declared martial law on Wednesday which came into effect from early Thursday in the four regions of Ukraine- Luhansk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson- that Russia annexed after referendum
The martial law announcement comes after Ukraine intensified its counter-offensive following the Crimea bridge incident.
"I signed a decree to introduce martial law in these four subjects of the Russian Federation," Vladimir Putin said during a national Security Council meeting.
As per reports, the martial law was imposed in the regions from early Thursday and the heads of the regions will be given emergency powers.
“More emergency powers will be given to the heads of all regions of Russia,” Putin said.
“In the current situation, I consider it necessary to give additional powers to heads of all Russian regions,” he said without detailing the order.
He also ordered the establishment of a coordination committee to increase interaction between government agencies in dealing with the fighting in Ukraine.
