Russia declares martial law in Donetsk, Lugansk, 2 other areas

A woman stands in front of a destroyed house, in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, on Sept 12, 2022. (JUAN BARRETO / AFP)

MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree Wednesday, declaring martial law in Donetsk, Lugansk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson from Thursday.

"It (the decree) will immediately be sent for approval to the Federation Council," the Kremlin said, citing the president at a meeting with members of the Security Council.

Putin also announced the "formation of a coordinating council" under the Russian government, which would work towards meeting all necessary objectives that arise in the course of the country's special military operation

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Putin also announced the "formation of a coordinating council" under the Russian government, which would work towards meeting all necessary objectives that arise in the course of the country's special military operation, the Kremlin said, adding that the council would be headed by Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin.

Meanwhile, the situation in the zone of the special military operation can be described as tense, commander of Russia's joint group of forces in Ukraine Sergey Surovikin told media on Tuesday.

The Ukrainian side does not abandon attempts to attack the positions of Russian troops, he said, adding that the Ukrainian army losses 600 to 1,000 people every day.

The Russian army will act consciously in a timely manner, without excluding the adoption of difficult decisions, he said.

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