Putin declares martial law in Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporozhye and Kherson

YEREVAN, OCTOBER 19, ARMENPRESS. Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree on the introduction of martial law in four new regions of Russia - the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Lugansk People’s Republic, the Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions, TASS reports.

"I have signed a decree on the introduction of martial law in these four constituent entities of Russia (the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Lugansk People’s Republic, the Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions — TASS). It will immediately be sent to the Federation Council for approval. The State Duma has been notified of this decision," Putin said at a meeting of the Security Council on Wednesday held via video link.

The president noted that martial law had been in effect in these territories before they joined Russia. "Now we need to formalize this regime in the framework of the Russian legislation," he explained.

People in the four former Ukrainian regions voted in referendums last month to ask Moscow to accept them as part of Russia. Kiev rejected the votes as illegitimate and pledged to use military force to seize the regions.

Earlier on Wednesday, officials in Kherson Region reported that Ukrainian troops appeared to be deploying for a large-scale offensive against the capital, Kherson.