Putin shifts drone defense costs to companies via decree

September 28, 2026 at 02:41 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing temporary state management of critical infrastructure facilities that fail to protect themselves from Ukrainian drone attacks. The move transfers defense responsibility and costs to companies, following a campaign that has destroyed up to 20% of Russia's refining capacity. A government committee was established three days later to oversee implementation.

Key Facts

Putin signed a decree in late August allowing temporary state management of critical infrastructure facilities that fail to defend against drone attacks.
Ukrainian long-range drone strikes have destroyed up to 20% of Russia's refining capacity, forcing the country to seek fuel.
A government committee to oversee the decree's implementation was established three days after the signing.
Drone defense specialist Vyacheslav Plaksin reported a fivefold increase in company requests after the decree was announced.
Finance Minister Anton Siluanov said in June that companies 'have the money' when asked about state defense financing.

Decree and Implementation

In late August, Putin signed a decree permitting temporary state management of 'critical infrastructure objects' that cannot protect themselves from drones. Three days later, the government formed a committee to oversee the measure. A former Kremlin official said intelligence services and the military wanted to shift drone defense responsibility to companies, and Putin agreed. The official relayed the message as: 'Gentlemen, come to your senses and start spending money.'

Business and State Dispute

Throughout the war, business and the state have clashed over who bears defense costs. Alexander Shokhin, head of a Kremlin-loyal business lobby, asked the state to help finance defense, while Finance Minister Anton Siluanov replied at a June economic forum: 'They have the money.' In late September, the Finance Ministry said it was preparing 'tax changes' to recognize defense spending without giving details. The decree has heightened nationalization concerns, with a former Rosneft executive claiming it will 'undoubtedly be used to seize assets at some point' and is essentially a method of 'forcing people to pay.'

Drone Campaign Impact

Ukraine's long-range drone campaign has set commercial depots ablaze and destroyed up to 20% of Russia's refining capacity. The attacks have pushed the country to seek fuel. Drone defense specialist Vyacheslav Plaksin said company requests increased fivefold after the decree, calling it 'a trigger.' On September 3, Putin said companies 'got involved and started investing money,' expressing satisfaction.