President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree authorizing the Russian government to seize temporary control of critical infrastructure facilities that are deemed insufficiently protected against attacks. This measure targets a wide range of sectors essential to national security and economic stability, including energy, nuclear power, transport, communications, logistics, and public utilities. Under the new rules, the Federal Agency for State Property Management or another designated state body will assume responsibility for the security of these sites and may conduct comprehensive asset inventories.
The move follows a shift in the ongoing conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. As front-line fighting in eastern Ukraine has stalled, the war has increasingly transitioned into a campaign of persistent drone and missile strikes. Ukraine has successfully utilized long-range drones to target Russian energy infrastructure, causing widespread fuel shortages and placing significant strain on an economy already burdened by nearly five years of international sanctions.
Recent strikes have caused substantial damage to major commercial entities. Kyiv has hit at least two dozen warehouses belonging to Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, resulting in billions of dollars in losses and a significant reduction in storage capacity. On Monday, Ozon, the country’s second-largest online retailer, reported that four of its logistics hubs in southern Russia were struck by drones.
Industrial facilities have also faced repeated disruptions. Industry sources informed Reuters that operations at the Perm oil refinery were halted on Monday following another drone strike. The facility, a critical processing plant, has been targeted multiple times in recent months. An attack last week damaged key processing units, with repairs expected to last up to two weeks, further exacerbating fuel shortages across several Russian regions.
