Russian President Vladimir Putin has declared a state of war in four recently annexed Ukrainian territories. He has already signed a corresponding decree, Putin said on Wednesday during a speech in the National Security Council that was broadcast on state television. Martial law will mean extended powers for the Russian occupation administrations in the Luhansk, Donetsk, Kherson and Zaporizhia regions.

In addition, residents can now be forced to work in the defense industry or prevented from traveling. According to the decree, it is now also officially possible to introduce military censorship or tap private telephone calls.

At the end of September, after several sham referendums, Putin had Luhansk, Donetsk, Cherson and Zaporizhia annexed in violation of international law. The step is not recognized internationally. A few days ago, in a resolution by a large majority, the UN General Assembly called on Russia to undo the annexation of the partially occupied regions. However, the UN resolution is not binding under international law.

Putin justified the imposition of martial law by saying that Kyiv refused to recognize the results of the September vote on joining Russia. "On the contrary, the shelling continues. Innocent people are dying," Putin said. According to him, attempts to recapture Ukraine are now attacks on Russian territory.

Russia invaded Ukraine almost eight months ago on February 24 and has since captured large parts of the four eastern and southern Ukrainian territories. Kyiv has repeatedly confirmed that it intends to liberate the occupied regions again.