Under the Presidential Decree No 756 dd 20.10.2022 in accordance with the Law on Martial Law Status martial law is introduced in Donetsk and Luhansk Republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions starting from 20.10.2022.
Martial law implies, in particular, the possibility of applying special measures affecting rights and freedoms of citizens and operation of organizations. In particular special measures may be introduced:
- prohibiting citizens being in the streets and in other public places at certain times of the day (curfew)
- restriction of entry, exit and freedom of movement in regions where martial law was introduced
- strengthening protection of public order and ensuring public safety, protection of military, important state and special facilities
- evacuation of objects and cultural purposes, temporary relocation of residents
- establishing a special regime for turnover of medicines and alcoholic beverages
- isolation of citizens of a foreign state at war with the Russian Federation
Martial law is introduced in the regions for an indefinite period of time until it is lifted by another Presidential Decree.
Martial law regulations are aimed at repelling or preventing aggression against the Russian Federation, so these special measures can be implemented in regions of the Russian Federation where martial law status was not declared1.
Under the Presidential Decree No 757 dd 19.10.2022 four levels of martial response are introduced in the territories of Russian regions:
1. Maximum Response Level
Introduced in the territories of Donetsk and Luhansk Republics, Zaporozhye and Kherson Regions. Empowers the executive authorities of the relevant territory to carrying out all of measures provided for by the Law on Martial Law Status.
2. Medium Response Level
Introduced in the Republic of Crimea, Krasnodarskiy Krai, Regions of Belgorod, Bryansk, Voronezh, Kursk, Rostov and in Sevastopol.
Empowers the executive authorities of the relevant territory to carrying out only part of the measures provided by the Martial Law. In regions where medium level of response was introduced, the following measures are allowed:
- strengthening protection of public order
- introduction of a special mode of operation of the most important facilities
- temporary relocation of citizens
- restriction of entry, exit and freedom of movement in regions where an medium level of response has been introduced
- inspection and restriction of movement of vehicles
- supervision over the work of printing houses, communications and communication facilities, computer centers and automated systems, their use for defense needs
3. High Alert Level
Introduced in the Central Federal District and the Southern Federal District, excluding the territories where an average response level was introduced. The high readiness level has been introduced in 18 territory entities of the Russian Federation, including Moscow and the Moscow region.
For this level the following measures are possible:
- strengthening protection of public order
- introduction of a special mode of operation of the most important facilities
- inspection and restriction of movement of vehicles
- supervision over the work of printing houses, communications and communication facilities, computer centers and automated systems, their use for defense needs
4. Basic Readiness Level
Basic alert level was introduced in the remaining territory of the Russian Federation and allows carrying out the following activities:
- strengthening protection of public order
- introduction of a special mode of operation of the most important facilities
Kindly note that for each level of response, the highest officials of regions of the Russian Federation are authorized to take decisions on additional measures for territorial and civil defense, to protect citizens and territories from natural and man-made emergencies, as well as to implement measures to meet the needs of the Armed Forces and the citizens. Therefore, the list of the above measures is not exhaustive.
The terms, specifics and procedure of implementation of the entire package of measures are set separately in each territory entity of the Russian Federation under the decision of the head of the region of the Russian Federation, depending on the level of response assigned by the Decree No 757.
1 Article 5 of the Law on Martial Law Status