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Ukrainian leader signs law allowing civilians to use weapons during martial law

According to the document, they can receive firearms and ammunition in line with the procedure and requirements established by the Ukrainian Internal Affairs Ministry

KIEV, March 10. /TASS/. Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky has signed a law allowing the country’s civilians, foreign citizens and stateless persons to use small arms as part of its ‘national resistance’ to Russia, according to the parliament’s website.

As stated on the website, "during the period of martial law, Ukrainian citizens, as well as foreigners and stateless persons <…> can take part in repelling and deterring Russia’s armed aggression, and receive firearms and ammunition in line with the procedure and requirements established by the Ukrainian Internal Affairs Ministry." The law stipulates that civilians will have to hand over the weapons and unused ammunition to the country’s national police ten days after lifting of martial law.

"Civilians are not responsible for using firearms against those involved in armed aggression against Ukraine, if such weapons are used in line with the law," the document reads.

On February 24, the Ukrainian parliament introduced martial law nationwide. On the same day, Zelensky announced that Kiev would issue weapons to anyone who wants to protect its sovereignty.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said in a televised address on February 24 that in response to a request by the heads of the Donbass republics he had decided to carry out a special military operation in order to protect people "who have been suffering from abuse and genocide by the Kiev regime for eight years." The Russian leader stressed that Moscow had no plans of occupying Ukrainian territories.

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