Russian gas giant Gazprom to form armed reservist units to protect facilities from drones

Source: Echo

Gazprom has signed a contract with the Defense Ministry to create mobile fire groups tasked with patrolling and protecting gas supply facilities, according to internal company documents reviewed by the news outlet Echo.

The contract is not for active military service but for enrollment in the mobilization reserve.

Anyone wishing to serve in such a group must pass a medical examination and a “thorough selection process” and complete two months of training.

Those who sign the contract are promised their average salary along with supplementary payments from the Defense Ministry, including for time spent in the reserve and for taking part in military training exercises. In addition, according to the documents, recruits are entitled to a monthly payment of 200,000 rubles for participating in the exercises. Employers are obligated to keep participants’ jobs open for the duration of the training.

Recruits are expected to “protect critical infrastructure and other essential facilities” only within their own region.

Contracts run for three years. At the end of that term, reservists may sign a new contract for five years, three years, or a shorter term if they are approaching the age limit for service.

In May 2026, Russian authorities allowed private companies to purchase large-caliber weapons and specialized equipment to defend against drone attacks, including anti-aircraft artillery systems and electronic warfare systems.

Russia’s mobilization reserve consists of people who have voluntarily signed contracts to serve in the reserve. In late 2025, Russia passed a law allowing reservists to be called up for special exercises by order of the Russian president, in addition to the existing training and inspection exercises.

In April 2026, authorities in the Leningrad region announced plans to form mobile fire groups made up of reservists to protect industrial facilities and critical infrastructure from drone attacks.

In Ukraine, mobile fire groups armed with interceptor drones and other weapons are widely used to defend against Russian drones.

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Russian gas giant Gazprom to form armed reservist units to protect facilities from drones

Age limit for the mobilization reserve

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Russian gas giant Gazprom to form armed reservist units to protect facilities from drones

Age limit for the mobilization reserve

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