The Ukrainian Security Council has declared a statewide state of emergency, with particular limitations in place, in order to maintain peace and defend the country’s economy in the face of Russian invasion threats.
The state of emergency, declared by Council Secretary Oleksiy Danilov on Wednesday, will last for 30 days and can be extended for another 30 days.
According to Danilov, the step was taken in response to the mounting prospect of a Russian invasion.
Danilov stated that the council would submit a report to Ukraine’s parliament later on Wednesday, with lawmakers expected to adopt the increased security measures this week.
Except for the two breakaway separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, which are backed by Russia and where a brutal uprising killed over 14,000 people in 2014, the state of emergency would apply to all of Ukraine.
Earlier this week, Russia recognized the two territories as separate entities and dispatched a peacekeeping force to the area.
Danilov stated in the statement that each of Ukraine’s regions would be able to choose which specific steps to implement, “depending on how necessary they may be.”
“This could be added enforcement of public order. This could involve limiting certain types of transport, increased vehicle checks, or asking people to show this or that document.
“Depending on the threats that may arise in certain territories, there will be either a more strengthened or more weakened state of emergency.
“We are talking about border areas where we have a border with the Russian Federation, with Belarus.
“These are preventive measures to keep calm in the country, so that our economy and our country can work,” he added.
The authorities gain powers when they declare a state of emergency, and they can pick which ones to implement. Transportation limitations, enhanced protection for essential infrastructure, and a strike prohibition are all possibilities.
