Putin allows temporary control of critical infrastructure after drone attacks

The decree, titled Measures to Ensure the Security of Critical Infrastructure Facilities of the Russian Federation, allows the Russian government to impose such measures.

The decree lists “ineffective measures to protect against UAV attacks” among the grounds for imposing temporary management, along with failure to restore facilities or delays in restoring operations after damage.

The decree may apply to businesses in the fuel and energy sector, industrial facilities, communications, transportation, logistics and energy infrastructure, including nuclear facilities, as well as other sites considered important to Russia’s economic stability and security.

The document says the decision was prompted by “increased threats to Russia’s critical infrastructure during the special military operation.”

Temporary management may cover all or part of the property of businesses located in Russia. This may include movable and immovable property, shares, stakes in the charter capital of legal entities and property rights.

By default, Russia’s Federal Agency for State Property Management will serve as temporary manager. The Russian government may instead appoint another institution or individual to manage the assets. Temporary management is expected to be financed with income generated from the transferred property.

The Institute for the Study of War reported on Aug. 23 that Putin, while continuing to adhere to his “concept of victory,” is willing to accept mounting economic hardship for Russian society. This includes residents of Moscow and St. Petersburg, whom he had previously sought to shield from such consequences.

In an interview with Russian propagandist Pavel Zarubin, Putin also acknowledged the effects of long-range Ukrainian strikes on Russia’s fuel infrastructure and stressed the need to improve Russia’s air defense systems. Putin also said strikes by Ukraine’s Defense Forces “lead to casualties and cause economic damage.”

Alexander Shokhin, president of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs, said on Aug. 20 that Ukrainian drone strikes had reduced Russia’s oil-refining capacity by 25–30% and lowered production of mineral fertilizers and chemical products.