Will Vladimir Putin impose martial law in Russia? EU official fears tough measures to quell protests against Ukrainian invasion
- There are growing fears that the Kremlin may impose martial law to stop anti-war protests
- Regime of suppression of independent voices reporting on the conflict in Ukraine
- Two liberal media companies have shut down following new censorship rules
- Russian students are taught that a “liberation mission” is needed
Russia may impose martial law in a new attempt to curb dissent invasion of UkraineEU officials fear.
The Kremlin is suppressing independent voices reporting on the conflict in Ukraine, and Russian students are learning why a “liberation mission” is needed.
Brussels is now stepping up speculation on social media about potential Russian plans to impose martial law, which it says will be “entirely home-made – as well as the tragic loss of young lives killed in the military conflict, with Russian mothers learning about the loss of their sons.” them. “
An EU official added yesterday: “This is something we are aware of and something we are worried about.”
Imposing martial law would allow the Kremlin to close borders, impose curfews, confiscate property and restrict the movement of people.
Security forces intervened during today’s anti-war demonstration in St. Petersburg
Russian security forces detained a protester during an anti-war demonstration in St. Petersburg today
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov dismissed speculation, as well as reports that authorities would prevent the men from leaving Russia.
But he said Vladimir Putin would convene Russia’s National Security Council last night, although he did not say what he would discuss. Fears of martial law come after Russian authorities censored reporting on what the Kremlin calls a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Two liberal media groups, the Echo of Moscow radio station and the Dozhd television network, have said they are halting operations, another blow to Putin’s independent reporting in Russia.
But Russians are still appearing in major anti-war protests across the country, battling mass arrests in direct challenge to the president’s 22-year rule.
Nearly 7,000 Russian scientists, mathematicians and academics signed an open letter yesterday, “sharply” protesting against the war in Ukraine. And Russian oil giant Lukoil has called for an immediate end to hostilities in Ukraine, one of the first major local companies to oppose the invasion.
Yesterday, Russia conducted an online lesson for children on why the “liberation mission in Ukraine” is necessary.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov (pictured) dismissed speculation about martial law, as well as reports that authorities would prevent men from leaving Russia.
They were trained on the “danger” posed by NATO and why Russia “stood up for the civilian population of the Donetsk and Luhansk People’s Republics,” according to the Russian Ministry of Education.
This week, photos of children detained in the back of a police van after participating in anti-war protests have surfaced.
About 7,669 people have been detained in anti-war protests since the invasion began on February 24, according to the ATS-Info monitoring group. Many Russians are trying to flee to destinations abroad that have not banned flights from Russia, and are willing to pay high prices in their rush to escape.
Putin said last night that Moscow’s advance in Ukraine “will be planned” and does not appear to be in the mood to listen to the global noise about the cessation of hostilities.
The independent Russian radio station Echo of Moscow announced its break-up today. The station was banned from airing because of the coverage of the invasion of Ukraine
During the televised opening of the National Security Council, he said Russia was eradicating “neo-Nazis” and added that he would “never give up [his] the belief that the Russians and the Ukrainians are one people.
Last night, it was alleged that Putin had concealed plans to invade Ukraine from his cabinet and that officials were unprepared for the scale of sanctions imposed on Moscow.
The agency’s investigative website, citing sources close to the Kremlin, said the government was aware of plans to recognize separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, backed by two Kremlins, but said the sanctions would be light.
They said many officials were ready to resign in protest, but feared it would be seen as an act of treason – with one fearing it would “lead to a prison camp”.
Moscow has repeatedly denied planning to invade Ukraine until its troops enter.
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