For over three and a half years, Ukraine has been living under martial law. President Zelenskyy put it in place after Russia's full-scale invasion. This gives the government and military extra powers. Every 90 days, the law gets extended. It's now in place until November. But how does this affect the lives of everyday Ukrainians?

Martial law comes with many rules. These rules impact how people live.

  • Limits on movement: People can't move around freely, especially near the front lines.
  • Travel ban: Men ages 18 to 60 who are able to fight can't leave the country.
  • Banned political parties: Parties that support Russia are not allowed.
  • Unified media: Some TV channels were combined into one.

One man, Alexander, says he feels like he always has to hide. He fears military recruiters. He doesn't agree with the forced recruitment methods.

Political Impact

The delay in holding elections because of martial law has caused issues. President Zelenskyy's term ended in 2024. But elections can't happen during martial law.

Donald Trump once called Zelenskyy a dictator.

He did this while trying to get a ceasefire deal. This upset Zelenskyy's supporters and allies. They felt Trump was echoing what the Kremlin was saying. Russia has refused to have face-to-face peace talks with Zelenskyy. They say they won't talk to someone who wasn't elected.

Human Rights Concerns

Some lawyers say there have been cases of forced recruitment. This could be a human rights abuse. The government says it will look into these cases.

At the start of mobilization, many people filed complaints. They complained about the border service using too much power. They also complained about people being detained for breaking curfew.

Despite the rules and nightly curfews, many Ukrainians have accepted martial law. They see it as necessary to defend their country.

Recent Russian attacks have killed many civilians, mostly at night during curfew.

But during the day, life seems normal. Parks are full of people enjoying the sun.

One person says they live two lives: one during the day and one at night.

Life under martial law in Ukraine is tough. People face restrictions and uncertainty. Yet, they have found ways to adapt and carry on. They see it as a necessary step to protect their country during the war. While it's not easy, Ukrainians are doing what they need to do to survive. 

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