“The decision will allow to coordinate at most all authorities, regional state administrations in the conditions of martial law,” said Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
QUICK FACTS:
- At a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers in Kyiv on Thursday, a decision was made to put into operation a “civil protection plan” involving instating martial law, announced by Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal, according to the Ukrainian government.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared martial law and accused Russia of acting like “Nazi Germany” after President Vladimir Putin launched an invasion of Ukraine, Al Jazeera (AJ) reports.
- According to the Head of Government, the decision was adopted for the most effective defense of the state and protection of the population against the backdrop of hostilities against Russia.
- “The decision will allow to coordinate at most all authorities, regional state administrations in the conditions of martial law. In addition, it allows us to direct all the necessary resources and use it quickly and efficiently for the needs of our military,” said the Prime Minister.
- Martial law is usually accompanied by curfews, the suspension of civil law, and the application or extension of military law and justice to civilians, AJ notes. When the measure is invoked, military officials and not civilian leaders make and apply the law. This means that Ukrainian soldiers, not police, are responsible for enforcing laws. Ordinary civilians could be tried in military tribunals as opposed to civilian courts if they are accused of breaching martial law.
WHAT UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT ZELENSKYY SAID:
- “Dear Ukrainian citizens, this morning President Putin announced a special military operation in Donbas. Russia conducted strikes on our military infrastructure and our border guards. There were blasts heard in many cities of Ukraine,” Zelenskyy said in an address to the nation.
- “We are introducing martial law on the whole territory of our country.”
BACKGROUND:
- While the U.S. has deployed a number of additional troops to NATO countries, Joe Biden maintains that troops will not be sent to Ukraine to fight, CBS News reports.
- The move on Thursday came a day after Zelenskyy announced a state of emergency that allows authorities to impose restrictions on movement, block rallies, and ban political parties and organizations “in the interests of national security and public order,” according to AJ.
