Correspondent in Moscow
“We already had a partial mobilization, now we have a partial martial law.” On Wednesday, political scientist Farida Rustamova responded to Vladimir Putin’s statements made in the afternoon. While all eyes were on Kherson in the south of Ukraine, from where tens of thousands of civilians were being evacuated, on Moscow’s order, in the face of an attack by Kiev forces, the Russian president announced a series of measures that will not fail. so that his fellow citizens feel the breath of war even more, even at home. Alert, safe, but also economic and social, no doubt arising from the situation “stressed” Russian military on the ground, according to the euphemism used by the new head of operations in Ukraine, Gen. Sergey Surovikin, on Tuesday.
Thus, martial law will be established on Thursday in four Ukrainian territories that were annexed by Moscow last month: Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporozhye,” the Kremlin leader announced on television in the preface to the session of the Presidential Security Council. This measure was immediately approved by the publication of decrees, where it was specifically stated that the government would present the specific measures to be applied in the annexed territories within three days. They already partially appear in the Russian Constitution (Article 87) and envisage, in particular, strengthening of security measures, curfew, ban on public gatherings, evacuation of strategic companies, requisitions, restrictive movements, establishment of military censorship. and reorganization of production. Some aspects of martial law were already in effect in the four territories before their accession, however “It is necessary to formalize this regime following Russian legislation.”, said Vladimir Putin. He justified this measure by the fact that Kiev refused to negotiate with Moscow and, according to him, continued the negotiations. “bomb” the civilian population of these areas. Territorial defense will be introduced and “headquarters” will be installed, the Russian president also announced, without further details.
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Enhanced warning system
But apart from the four regions targeted by martial law, there is a whole part of the country that will experience a new tightening of security. About thirty regions (out of the eighty “objects” of the Russian Federation, according to the official term) could be concerned, according to lawyer Pavel Chikov, and this according to different methods. Another eight border regions of Ukraine (annexed Crimea, Krasnodar, Rostov, Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh and Kursk) will be placed under heightened alert, qualified as: “intermediate response mode”.. This regime envisages the strengthening of military and civil surveillance of sensitive objects, the strengthening of protection of order and public safety, the restriction of entry, exit, but also movement within these areas.
A new step has been taken to mobilize the country’s funds, among other things, its economy, which should be reoriented to meet the priority needs of the Russian army, Vladimir Putin ordered.
In the Central Federal District, where the capital Moscow is located, according to the decree, an enhanced alarm regime was also established. In other central and southern regions of Russia a “High Alert Mode” will be applied with more or less the same restrictions as in the border regions. Finally, in all other regions of the Russian Federation “Basic level of preparation” is implemented, resulting in enhanced protection of public order, particularly in transport, communication and sensitive installations. Border closure is not planned, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov assured, in the face of the concerns that were immediately expressed among the population. As with Covid, the implementation of these measures will depend heavily on regional governors, a way to prevent the central government from placing itself at the forefront of responsibility. On the other hand, Vladimir Putin returned to the shortcomings of the mobilization on Wednesday, confirming that: “Our soldiers must be equipped with everything necessary.”.
The Federation Council, the upper house that approved the new measures on the same day, did not give details.. “Ask Vladimir Putin.”, heard a parliamentarian seeking clarification. The arsenal is vast and uncertain enough to evolve, and become stronger, according to the plans of the Russian president, as is already the case with mobilization. “partial”. A new step has been taken to mobilize the country’s funds, among other things, its economy, which should be reoriented to meet the priority needs of the Russian army, Vladimir Putin ordered.
Source: Le Figaro
