Putin Authorizes Temporary State Control Over Strategic Facilities: A Security Measure

Through a new decree, Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted the state the right to temporarily take control of certain critical infrastructure facilities within the country.

The decision covers the fuel, energy, transport, communications and logistics sectors. The intervention may be implemented when private owners fail to provide adequate protection against attacks or are unable to quickly restore the facilities’ operations after strikes.

Under such circumstances, Russian authorities may appoint a “temporary administration,” through which the government assumes control of companies’ property, ownership rights and shares.

The decree justifies the move by citing increasing threats to the security of critical infrastructure on Russian territory.

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said that some business owners were not taking the necessary steps to protect facilities from drones. According to him, the government and the agencies responsible will examine each case and propose measures when the security of critical facilities is deemed inadequate.

The decision was made at a time when Ukraine has intensified drone strikes inside Russian territory, also targeting facilities linked to energy, fuel and logistics.

At the same time, Russia has increased its airstrikes against Ukraine. Ukraine’s Air Force reported that, over the course of one night, Russia launched two missiles and around 150 drones, while Ukraine claimed to have shot down 124 of them.

Meanwhile, Kyiv has sounded the alarm over a shortage of interceptors for the US-made Patriot systems, which are among Ukraine’s main means of defense against ballistic missiles.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky confirmed the arrival of a small number of Patriot missiles, but stressed that the country needs more.

Through the new decree, Moscow is seeking to strengthen state oversight of strategic facilities as Ukrainian drone attacks increase pressure on Russia’s infrastructure and energy supplies.