Zelensky extends martial law in Ukraine for 30 days: Reports

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky inked Sunday a bill extending martial law in Ukraine for 30 days beginning March 26, Verkhovna Rada reported.

"As of March 20, 2022, the President of Ukraine has signed the laws of Ukraine... the law approving the decree of the President of Ukraine 'On the extension of martial law in Ukraine' No. 2119-IX (reg. No. 7168). This law extends the wartime period in Ukraine from 05:30 on March 26, 2022 for a period of 30 days," the statement said.

Earlier, the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) halted the activity of a number of political parties, including the Opposition Platform - For Life, and the cessation of activities, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, will be in effect for the period of martial law in the country.

The parties whose activities will be "put on hold" are the aforementioned Opposition Platform - For Life, the Party of Shariy, Nashi, the Opposition Bloc, the Union of Leftists, Derzhava, the Progressive Socialist Party of Ukraine, the Socialist Party of Ukraine, and the Volodymyr Saldo Bloc. What the parties in question have in common is the fact that they are predominantly leftist, and the suspension of their activities could just be part of the Kiev regime's attempts at silencing the left-wing opposition under the pretext of the crisis currently ongoing in the country.

Ukrainian media had reported earlier this week that the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Kiev's parliament, had approved the extension of martial law in the country until late April, saying the legislation would be in effect for 30 more days starting March 26.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky had declared martial law the same day as the Russian special military operation kicked off in the country, implementing a state of submission to military authority in times of tension and conflict.

Russia's said operation took place for several reasons, including NATO's eastward expansion. Other reasons were the Ukrainian shelling of Donbass and the killing of the people of the Donetsk People's Republic and Lugansk People's Republic, in addition to Moscow wanting to "denazify" and demilitarize Ukraine.

Silencing the opposition was not only an occurrence in Ukraine since the beginning of Moscow's operation, as it was prominent in the West, as it implemented restrictive measures on Russian officials, entities, and media outlets, such as RT and Sputnik.

The campaign also saw an escalation in the anti-Russian narrative and rampant Russophobia in Western media and among internet users.