Putin’s ‘martial law’ address broadcast in 3 Russian regions. The Kremlin says radio stations were hacked, denies authenticity of recording.

A state-of-emergency address by Vladimir Putin was broadcast on the radio in three regions of southern Russia: Rostov, Belgorod, and Voronezh. Listeners heard Putin declare martial law in response to an alleged “incursion” of the Ukrainian armed forces into Russia.

The journalist Ksenia Sobchak and the Telegram news channel 7х7 both report that the president’s message said the Ukrainian army had entered Russia’s Kursk, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions and that martial law was being effected in those areas. Residents were advised to “evacuate deep into Russia.” Putin also promised that “general mobilization” would take place in the country.

Officials in Belgorod and Voronezh regions attribute the broadcast to hackers trying to “sow panic” and insist that “there’s no cause for concern.” The Kremlin Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov also says that Putin’s emergency address was simply a “hack,” writes TASS.