Status: 05/22/2022 15:25
Martial law has been in effect in Ukraine since the Russian invasion. Now, the parliament in Kiev has amplified this state of affairs. Also present at the meeting was the President of Poland, Duda, who gave an acclaimed speech to parliamentarians.
Ukraine has extended martial law, which has been in effect since late February, for another 90 days. In view of the Russian war of aggression, the parliament in Kiev also voted to extend the general mobilization until August 23, as several lawmakers wrote on the Telegram news service. A day later, on August 24, Ukraine traditionally celebrates its Independence Day.
Martial law gives the military extended rights and restricts civil liberties, such as the right to demonstrate. Many experts see the duration of the state of war as an indicator of how long Kiev is currently preparing for possible fighting.
No hope of a quick end to the war
The corresponding bill was published last week at the suggestion of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Zelenskyi first declared a state of war on February 24, just hours after Russia’s attack, and then extended it twice for 30 days each. General mobilization, on the other hand, was applied immediately for 90 days.
Ukrainian presidential adviser Oleksiy Arestovych had already justified the relatively long extension of martial law this time last Wednesday: the war initiated by Russia will last until autumn, he said. The Ukrainian population is only getting false hopes if martial law is only extended for 30 days, as has been the case until now. Honest communication with society is necessary in war, said the aide, who mainly talks about military issues.
Overview of the War in Ukraine topic
Duda wants to help Ukraine join the EU
Polish President Andrzej Duda has become the first foreign head of state to speak in Ukraine’s parliament since the start of the Russian invasion. “The free world looks like Ukraine,” the politician said in his speech. Parliamentarians rose several times to applaud the guest from Poland. Zelenskyy was also present. Duda said that no one can disturb the Polish-Ukrainian unity. “Poland will do everything in its power to help Ukraine become a member of the European Union.”
The Polish head of state also spoke of the intention to conclude a Polish-Ukrainian friendship agreement. The details were not initially known. Surprisingly, Duda’s solidarity visit only became known in the morning. The 50-year-old traveled to Ukraine for the second time since the start of the war.
President of Poland Duda in the Ukrainian Parliament: “The free world looks like Ukraine” Photo: REUTERS
Heavy fighting through the cities of the Luhansk region
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian army reported more heavy fighting around the cities of Sieverodonetsk and Lysychansk in Luhansk Oblast in eastern Ukraine. Ukrainian troop positions would be shelled with Russian artillery along the entire front line in the area, the General Staff in Kiev said. Russian troops unsuccessfully tried to invade towns north, east and south of Sievjerodonetsk. The fighting was equally fierce for the villages south of the Lysychansk to Bakhmut route in the Donetsk region.
The Russian army has been trying for days to cut off supplies from the Donetsk region to Ukrainian groups around Sievjerodonetsk and Lysychansk. According to Ukrainian sources, a bridge over the Siwerskyj Donets between the twin cities of Lysychansk and Sievjerodonetsk was specifically destroyed the previous day with 240mm mortars. There were also artillery battles and bombing raids in the Donetsk region.
The Russian Defense Ministry, meanwhile, announced that a total of nearly 40 targets were attacked from the air in the last 24 hours, including five weapons depots in Donbass. In addition, more than 580 rocket and artillery targets were fired across the country.
conflicting parties as source
Information on the course of the war, bombing and casualties provided by official bodies of the Russian and Ukrainian parties to the conflict cannot be directly verified by an independent body in the current situation.