Speculation about the measure began to swirl earlier this week as authorities began to clamp down on the few independent voices reporting Russia’s war in Ukraine.

European officials said on Thursday they were picking up signs that Russia could bring in martial law. “It is something we’re conscious of, and it’s something we’re worried about,” an EU official said.

Mikhailo Podolyak, an adviser to Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian president, said on Wednesday he understands that martial law will be approved at the emergency session, “with a total ban on all rallies, disconnection from the outside world, large-scale food and financial restrictions”.

Tatyana Stanovaya, a political analyst and non-resident fellow at the Carnegie Moscow Centre, described the imposition of martial law as a “more than logical scenario”.

She said: “Martial law allows authorities to introduce military censorship, make the work of federal and local authorities a state secret, ban rallies and others.

“In current circumstances, it addresses their intention to exert complete control over the media, gag those opposing the war and shut down the internet without any pretence, jail everyone who says or writes the wrong things and limit travel.”

The move would come amid growing public anger over Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. More than 7,000 people have been arrested at multiple anti-war protests across Russia since the war started a week ago.

Alexei Navalny, Russia’s jailed opposition leader, on Wednesday called on citizens to rally against the invasion in the main squares of their cities every day.

The impact of unprecedented Western sanctions is already kicking in. Foreign currency at banks is in short supply as the rouble drops to historic lows. Apple Pay is no longer available in Russia, and myriad international companies have severed all ties with Russian firms.