Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday declared martial law in four recently annexed regions of Ukraine.
The move gives Russia greater control over the territories — Kherson, Zaporizhzhia, Donetsk, and Luhansk. None of them are entirely controlled by Russian forces.
“I signed a decree on the introduction of martial law in these four constituent entities of the Russian Federation,” Putin said at a security council meeting Wednesday, Russian state news agency TASS reported.
“It will immediately be sent for approval to the Federation Council, and the State Duma will be informed of the decision,” he added.
Citizens in the regions are reportedly about to be evacuated by Russian authorities as Ukraine gets ready for a military offensive in Kherson.
