Russia allows private companies to purchase heavy weapons, including anti-aircraft artillery systems, to defend against drones

Source: RBC

Russia has authorized private companies to purchase heavy weapons and equipment to defend against drone attacks, including anti-aircraft artillery systems, gun turrets, radar systems, and electronic warfare systems, the Russian business outlet RBC reported, citing sources.

Previously, businesses were limited to what were described as “passive safeguards for facilities” for their security personnel, including small arms.

Authorities expect the policy, adopted under new regulations, to speed up the supply of weapons and equipment to mobile fire groups — units formed from reservists, volunteers, and employees of private enterprises to protect civilian infrastructure from drones.

One of RBC’s sources said such groups “demonstrate high effectiveness in intercepting fixed-wing drones.”

The topic of businesses purchasing heavy weapons for drone defense was discussed at a May 26, 2026 meeting with Vladimir Putin by Alexander Shokhin, the head of the Russian Union of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs and the incoming business commissioner. Among other things, he raised the need to establish clear financing arrangements for such purchases.

According to RBC, mobile fire groups are currently being formed in most western regions of Russia. Their numbers began to grow after Ukrainian drones started striking territory increasingly far from the front line.

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Russia allows private companies to purchase heavy weapons, including anti-aircraft artillery systems, to defend against drones

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