Russian President Vladimir Putin on Wednesday announced martial law in Ukraine's Donetsk, Lugansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia regions that Moscow claims to have annexed, reports AFP.
Putin's announcement came as Ukrainian forces advanced in territory held by Moscow for months.
Under Russian law, martial law allows for the strengthening of the military, curfews, limits of movement, censorships and interning of foreign citizens.
During a televised National Security Council meeting Putin said, "I signed a decree to introduce martial law in these four subjects of the Russian Federation."
The Kremlin then published a decree saying martial law will be introduced from early Thursday.
"The Kyiv regime refused to recognise the will of the people, rejects any proposals for negotiation, gunfire continues, civilians are dying," Putin said.
Putin also accused Ukraine of using "terrorist methods".
Bd-pratidin English/Golam Rosul
