Martial law is the new Russian regime for Ukraine regions, and it’s not much better in Russia itself.
Russian President Vladimir Putin declared martial law on Wednesday for the four illegally annexed regions of Ukraine, and set the stage for tight new restrictions for the Russian people.
In the occupied regions, military administration has replaced all civil leaders, and thousands are being evacuated. East, into Russian-controlled territory, whether they like it or not. Children in particular are being reported as being subject to forced evacuation. Others are being ‘encouraged’ to go with nonstop reports that Ukraine will soon begin blockading and shelling the city.
Andriy Yermak, head of the Ukrainian presidential office, called the evacuation “a propaganda show” and said Russia’s claims that Kyiv’s forces might shell Kherson “a rather primitive tactic, given that the armed forces do not fire at Ukrainian cities.”
“We are working to solve very difficult large-scale tasks to ensure Russia’s security and safe future,” said Putin on Thursday to his Security Council. The increasing pressure from Ukrainian counteroffensive attacks has left the ill-equipped Russian army faltering, and the ‘mobilization’ (conscription) of thousands of Russian men has been extremely unpopular.
Martial law in Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk, and Zaporizhzhia will include the potential imposition of curfews, restrictions on travel and public gatherings, tighter censorship of media and public speaking, and broader law enforcement powers. It also allows leaders in the Russian regions bordering these areas to resettle anyone they like and restrict freedom of movement.
His announcement also included hints about tougher crackdowns all across Russia, specifically against any political dissent, anti-war behavior, or providing information about the war which has not been approved by the Kremlin.
Ukraine is calling out Putin’s decree as illegal, saying it’s part of his effort “to deprive the inhabitants of the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine of even basic human rights.”
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