Putin declares martial law in occupied Ukraine regions including Kherson

Lining up to leave Kherson. Residents of the now Russian-held city waited for their turn on Wednesday (October 19) to evacuate after Moscow warned of a looming assault.

Images of residents holding bags and pets preparing to flee the city were broadcast by Russian media which portrayed the exodus as an attempt to clear the city of civilians before it becomes a combat zone.

Meanwhile Russia’s President Vladimir Putin was introducing martial law in four Ukrainian regions - including Kherson - that he says are now part of Russia.

"Donetsk People's Republic, Luhansk People's Republic and Kherson and Zaporizhzhya regions, had a martial law regime in force before they were incorporated into Russia. Now we need to formalize this regime within the framework of Russian legislation. Therefore, I have signed a decree introducing martial law into these four entities of the Russian Federation."

Beyond much tighter military-led security on the ground, it was unclear what the immediate impact of that would be for places like Kherson, the biggest population center Moscow has seized since invading Ukraine.

Putin also issued a decree restricting movement in and out of eight regions adjoining Ukraine.

Kyiv has accused Russia of laying on a propaganda show in Kherson, and described Putin’s declaration of martial law as the “pseudo-legalization of looting of Ukrainians’ property."

Russian-installed authorities in occupied Kherson said they planned to evacuate up to 60,000 over the next six days.

Ukraine is pursuing major counter-offensives in the east and south of the country.

Russian forces in the Kherson region have been driven back by up to 20 miles in the last few weeks.

Videos shared on social media have shown Ukrainian forces raising flags over retaken towns in the region.

Reuters was not able to verify the dates of when the videos were filmed.

Speaking to Russian state TV, the new commander of Russian forces in Ukraine described the situation there as “difficult.”

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[LutherusPXCs]

I have just declared martial law in the region of Scotland all the way from Japan.

[nigelsensible]

Lovely to see Russians evacuating from Ukraine 🇺🇦

[noghanson]

Now that’s a sign of a dictator in trouble.

[MAXlMUS]

Translation: pootin is going to force-draft all men in krerson and zaporizhia just same as he already did in luhanks and donetsk.

[tz]

I hereby declare that people of Slovakia have to wear only pink clothes for a week. As a Czech I have no authority over their country but still I expect them to obey my decree unconditionally.

[bill-wdzs]

What's Putin up to evacuating citizens? As if he actually gives a crap about human lives no matter where they happen to come from.

[We-are-star-stuff]

Declaring things in a place he don’t own or run 🤬🤬🤬

[kajita]

How can martial law happen when there is no „war“?? I thought it’s just a special operation 😂

[ryanjoseph]

So this is Putin's version of liberation. The people here must be jumping with joy.

[mariofpv]

Next week he will declare martial law in London.🇺🇦🇬🇧

[stoopstified]

Calls martial law in a foreign country 🤭🤡

[bigdada]

Blessings, peace and luck from California to Ukraine 🙏🙏✌✌🍀🍀💛💛💙💙

[SerenityMae]

I love seeing these last dying acts of a dying dictator

[heffaazul]

Russia is saying come with us....

Ukrainians are saying nah, we're good.

[cristo]

And no you can't take the toilet back with you to Russia.

[storm]

Russian trolls online: 😁
Russian trolls when conscripted: 😭

[shaundixon]

As soon as Ukraine takes Kherson it should hold referendum on sovriegnty, now Russians have left

[morningglory]

Putin‘s insane, looney Tunes, cracker jacks, receiver is definitely off the hook, the lights are on nobody’s home . SMH

[jreifsnyder]

It's like a pirate saying the law backs him up

[David-vqzg]

The 3 phones are very amusing Vlad....🤣😂🤣