Vladimir Putin has declared martial law in illegally annexed regions of Ukraine (Picture: Getty Images)

Russian president Vladimir Putin has announced martial law is being introduced in Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson and Zaporizhzhia – the four regions of Ukraine he illegally annexed last month.

Speaking in a televised address to national security officials Mr Putin said: ‘Now we need to formalize this regime within the framework of Russian legislation.

‘Therefore, I signed a decree on the introduction of martial law in these four subjects of the Russian Federation.’

The move means that as of today military officials will now take direct responsibility for civil government functions.

It’s not the first time that martial law has been imposed in the region since the Russian invasion of Ukraine back in February.

But just what is martial law and what does it mean?

What is martial law?

Martial law can be declared when there is near-violent civil unrest or major natural disasters.

The features of martial law involve:

CurfewsThe suspension of civil law, civil rights and habeas corpus (allowing detention of citizens)The application of military law or military justice to civiliansCivilians defying martial law being subjected to military tribunes (Court Martials)

Although the legal effects of martial law differ depending on where it is issued, it generally involves the suspension of ordinary civil rights.

A state of martial law is temporary in theory, but could continue indefinitely.

It is only carried out when deemed necessary, and only limited by international law and the conventions of civilised warfare.

Civil courts don’t review the decisions of tribunals set up by military authorities, and there is little knowledge on what remedies there are against potential situations involving the military abusing their position of power.

When was martial law last imposed in Ukraine?

Attacks have continued across Ukraine leaving parts of the country without power (Picture: Getty Images)

Martial law was imposed in Ukraine back in February by president Volodymyr Zelensky in the wake of Russia’s invasion.

In an address to the nation at that time, he told people to stay at home unless they are involved in critical work.

‘Don’t panic. We are strong. We are ready for everything. We will defeat everyone.,’ he said. ‘Because we are Ukraine.’

The country previously faced martial law in late 2018 after a stand off between Russia and the Ukrainian navy in the Black Sea.

This was implemented in 10 parts of the country including five border regions with Russia, two regions bordering Moldova’s Tinas-Dniester region and three regions on the Black Sea and Sea of Azov coast.

The Vinnytsia, Luhansk, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv, Kherson, inland waters of the Azov-Kerch water area, Verkhovna Rada, Donetsk and Zaporizhia regions were also affected.

VOA News quoted then President Poroshenko as saying: ‘I hope politicians and the media will act responsibly and appropriately under the current circumstances and will not attack Ukraine with the theses borrowed from Russian propagandists.’

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It’s often used in times of conflict or civil unrest.