(VOVworld) - The Ukrainian parliament on Tuesday approved a bill providing a legal basis for declaring martial law in the country.

A bill on martial law in Ukraine receives 254 votes out of 322 (photo:RIA Novosti Alexandr Maksimenko)

254 deputies out of 322 voted for the law. It was approved following parliament approving a bill which allows foreigners to join the Ukrainian armed forces. The law regulates how martial law can be imposed throughout Ukraine or in its territories in the event of armed aggression or the threat of attack, or the existence of a danger posed to the state independence of Ukraine and its territorial integrity. The law also allows Ukrainian army commanders to restrict the freedom of citizens’ movement, ban gatherings and meetings, check personal assets, and impose curfews. The law will take effect after receiving the president approval.