Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on Monday granting the state temporary authority to take control of critical infrastructure facilities considered inadequately protected against drone attacks.
The presidential order allows authorities to assume temporary management of physical and financial assets, as well as formal property rights, when operators fail to secure infrastructure or delay repairs after strikes. Sectors covered include fuel, energy, industry, communications, transport, logistics and other assets deemed vital for national security and economic stability.
The move follows intensified Ukrainian drone strikes targeting oil refineries, retail warehouses and commercial storage facilities. Russia’s largest online retailer, Wildberries, has reported attacks on at least two dozen warehouses since July 18, resulting in significant losses to storage capacity. Ozon, the country’s second-largest e-commerce platform, said four of its logistics centers in southern Russia were hit on Monday.
Putin ordered the government last week to launch a program to rebuild commercial warehouses damaged or destroyed in recent weeks. The decree does not constitute nationalization, according to First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov, who stated it provides for state participation in company management to address specific security concerns.
The announcement comes as Moscow faces persistent drone incursions, with authorities citing vulnerabilities in critical infrastructure despite ongoing repair efforts.
