War in Ukraine Begins: Zelenskyy Imposes Martial Law as Russia Launches Full-Scale Invasion
Дмитро Ковальський | Dmytro Kovalskyi
3 min read
Kyiv, February 24, 2022. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared martial law across the entire country in an emergency address to the nation on the morning of February 24. This decision followed a full-scale invasion of Ukrainian territory by the armed forces of the Russian Federation, which began at dawn.
What did the President say in his emergency address?
In the address, broadcast on all Ukrainian channels, the head of state announced the start of a large-scale military aggression.
“Russia has carried out strikes on military infrastructure and border guards. Explosions are heard in many Ukrainian cities. We are imposing martial law across the entire territory of our state,”
stated Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
The President urged citizens to remain calm and stay at home, assuring that the state apparatus and army were working at full capacity.
“We are working. The army is working. The entire security and defense sector of Ukraine is working,”
he added.
The video address was also published on social media.
Timeline of Events
The decision on martial law was a logical step after a series of escalatory actions by the Russian Federation:
- February 21: Russian President Vladimir Putin signed decrees recognizing the independence of the so-called “DNR” and “LNR” within Ukraine’s Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
- February 22: The Russian Federation officially deployed troops to the territory of Donbas under the pretext of a “peacekeeping operation.”
- February 23: In the evening, leaders of the illegal “L/DNR” formations appealed to Vladimir Putin with a request for military assistance against Ukraine. The Ukrainian government rejected all provocative ultimatums regarding the withdrawal of troops from its own territory.
- February 24, around 5 a.m.: Vladimir Putin announced the start of a so-called “special military operation” against Ukraine. This was followed by massive missile strikes on military and civilian targets across Ukraine, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, and other major cities.
A state of emergency had already been in effect in Ukraine since midnight on February 24. The imposition of martial law is an unprecedented measure in the history of independent Ukraine and signifies a transition to a special governance regime under conditions of full-scale war. This event marked the beginning of the largest ground war in Europe since WWII, triggering immediate global economic shocks and a severe security crisis for the entire Western alliance.
What does martial law mean for citizens and business?
The martial law regime entails a number of serious changes for the country:
- Mobilization: Partial or general mobilization of those liable for military service.
- Movement Restrictions: Possible introduction of a curfew, checkpoints, and restrictions on movement.
- Economy: Reorientation of the economy to wartime needs, possible state control over strategic enterprises.
- Information Space: Tighter control over information that could harm the country’s defense.
International Reaction and Next Steps
In response to the aggression, leading world powers, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and EU countries, announced preparations for unprecedented sanctions against the Russian Federation. An emergency meeting of the UN Security Council is expected.
A Day That Changed History
February 24, 2022, will forever be etched in the history of Ukraine and the world as the day a full-scale war began in the heart of Europe. Volodymyr Zelenskyy’s address captured the moment when Ukraine entered the fight for its sovereign existence.
The decisions made in the coming hours and days will determine not only the outcome of the defense but also the future architecture of European and global security. The country faces its greatest challenge since World War II, and its response will shape the course of history for decades to come.
