Kyiv: Ukraine's military tightened the noose around Russian forces occupying the southern city of Kherson on Thursday as the government ordered nationwide curbs on electricity use because of Russian missile and drone attacks on power plants. Russian President Vladimir Putin declared martial law in Ukraine's Kherson, Donetsk, Luhansk and Zaporizhzhia regions, which have been annexed by Russia.

Ukrainian forces are now launching heavy offensives to recapture Kherson. Around 60,000 Russian citizens are reported to have fled from here fearing an attack.

The war is entering its critical phase. Putin may even use mild nuclear weapons as a deterrent.

With that, Putin believes it will be possible to end the shadow war of the Western countries, including the United States, which has put Ukraine at the forefront.

Putin replaced army generals last week ahead of ramping up the war effort. The new general is a person who has heard the name of any type of war.

Putin's announcement was made at the National Security Council meeting.

Putin's move to declare martial law comes as Ukraine's military advances in the region.

Under Russian law, martial law allows for the strengthening of the military, curfews, travel restrictions, censorship, and the internment of foreign nationals.

Now Putin can impose curfews in the region, seize property, forcefully relocate residents, jail undocumented residents, open checkpoints and hold people in jail for up to 30 days without trial. That is, this martial law will further consolidate Russia's power in the territories annexed to Russia.

The aim is to further increase Russia's power in partially occupied Ukrainian territories, including Kherson, and it is unclear what the consequences will be beyond tighter security measures. But Ukraine has not yet accepted Russia's military action.

According to the information obtained from the interaction with Russia, it is known that Russia may launch a strong attack on Ukraine in the coming days.