Ukraine to Declare Nationwide State of Emergency... 36,000 Reservists to Be Drafted

[Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Hyung-min] Ukraine, facing the threat of a Russian invasion, is set to declare a state of emergency across the entire country except for the eastern Donbas region, where pro-Russian separatist republics are located, according to major foreign media on the 23rd (Korean time).

According to these reports, Ukraine's National Security Council has approved the plan to declare a state of emergency, with only the official approval from the parliament remaining. The state of emergency will last for 30 days and may be extended for another 30 days depending on the situation. Once the emergency is in effect, border area checkpoints will be strengthened, and civilians' free movement will be restricted, including bans on going out and nighttime curfews.

Ukrainian authorities have also begun mobilizing reservists. According to foreign media, the Ukrainian Ground Forces announced on social media platform Facebook that "reservists aged 18 to 60 are being called up. The conscription order takes effect today," adding that "the maximum service period is one year." Sputnik News reported that this measure will bring the number of reservists joining the Ukrainian government forces to 36,000.

The Ukrainian parliament also passed a bill allowing civilians to possess firearms and take self-defense actions. Additionally, the Ukrainian Ministry of Foreign Affairs advised its citizens residing in Russia to leave Russia immediately on the same day.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, "Due to the increasing Russian offensive against Ukraine, consular support within Russia may be practically reduced," and "we also recommend Ukrainians refrain from traveling to Russia."

Meanwhile, on the 21st, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a presidential decree recognizing the independence of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR), declared by pro-Russian separatists in the Donbas region.

President Putin also ordered the deployment of "peacekeeping forces" to the region, and the Russian Federation Council approved this, officially formalizing the deployment of Russian troops within Ukrainian territory.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.