Putin signs decree allowing state takeover of Russian infrastructure whose owners fail to protect it from drone attacks

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing the authorities to place critical infrastructure facilities under temporary management when their owners fail to protect them from security threats, including Ukrainian drone attacks.

The decree defines “critical infrastructure facilities” as sites in the fuel and energy sector, electric power, industry, and communications, as well as utility, transportation, and logistics infrastructure. The definition also covers “other facilities of especially high importance to Russia’s security and economic stability.”

External management will be imposed if the owners of a facility have:

• failed to take steps to ensure its security
• violated the security requirements set by the authorities
• created a threat to the facility’s security and normal operation, including by taking ineffective measures against drone attacks
• failed to restore the facility after an attack

The temporary administrator, according to the decree, will be Rosimushchestvo — Russia’s federal property management agency — or “another party” to be designated by the government. The authorities will be able to grant the administrator rights to the facility owner’s real estate, securities, and other property. The property’s upkeep will be funded by revenue generated from its use.

The decree is now in effect.

Putin issued the decree amid repeated Ukrainian drone strikes on Russian oil industry sites and on logistics centers belonging to the online marketplaces Wildberries and Ozon.