Russia to seize poorly protected infrastructure as Ukraine barrage persists

Operators could lose control of facilities if regulators find them too slow to repair damage as Ukraine attacks spur economic and societal difficulties.

President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree opening the way for the Russian state to take temporary control of critical infrastructure found to be inadequately protected from attack.

The decree, published on Monday, would allow Moscow to strip owners of physical and financial control over facilities should it be determined that they are failing to secure them or repair damage quickly. The move comes as Ukraine maintains an intense drone campaign against Russian infrastructure.

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Under the decree, ownership powers would transfer to Russia’s Federal Agency for State Property Management or another designated body, which would take responsibility for the site’s safety and could conduct an inventory of its assets.

Fuel and energy facilities, including nuclear power, are included under the legislation as well as industry, communications, transport and logistics, public utilities and other facilities deemed essential to state security and economic stability.

Russia launched its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but with the front line in eastern Ukraine bogged down, the conflict has become increasingly focused on drone and missile strikes.

Kyiv has found significant success in long-range drone attacks. Its targeting of Russia’s energy infrastructure in particular has produced results, sparking fuel shortages across the country and impacting public opinion and an economy that has been enduring increased international sanctions for close to five years.

Kyiv has also struck at least two dozen warehouses belonging to Wildberries, Russia’s largest online retailer, destroying a significant share of its storage capacity and causing billions of dollars of damage to companies across the nation.

Ozon, Russia’s second largest online retailer, said on Monday that four of its logistics hubs in southern Russia had been hit.

The same day, Russia was also forced to halt operations at the Perm oil refinery, industry sources told the Reuters news agency. The facility, a major processing  plant, has been hit numerous times by Ukrainian drones in recent months.

An attack last week damaged key processing units. Repairs are expected to take up to two weeks, adding to fuel shortages reported in several regions.