Putin decree lets Russia control damaged infrastructure after Ukraine strikes

Putin has authorised temporary state control of critical infrastructure damaged by Ukrainian drone strikes. The move raises pressure on private owners while exposing the war's deepening economic strain on Russia.Stock photo used for illustrationRussian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing the government to temporarily take control of critical infrastructure if private owners fail to protect it from Ukrainian drone attacks or do not rebuild it after strikes.The move comes as Russia faces growing economic and political pressure from months of escalating and increasingly accurate Ukrainian strikes. Kyiv has used domestically developed long-range drones to target key oil facilities and major commercial hubs, leading to fuel shortages and putting the Russian leadership under pressure. At the same time, Ukraine has also endured relentless Russian aerial attacks that have damaged homes and hit its power grid ahead of winter, as the war enters its fifth year.The decree, announced late on Monday, applies to sectors including energy and fuel infrastructure, industry, communications, transport and logistics. The Kremlin's intentions remain unclear. Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said the measure did not mean companies would be nationalised or lose ownership, but only the "involvement of the state in the management of an enterprise to solve specific security problems". He added that "this mechanism doesn't imply widespread use -- targeted, carefully considered decisions will be made at the highest level."Russian political analyst Abbas Gallyamov said the decree could be a tactical move to push owners of repeatedly damaged oil refineries to carry out repairs they may otherwise avoid. "Given the fact that the same refinery has already been hit three to five times, it's safe to assume that the owners are now reluctant to invest in restoring what's been destroyed," he said on Telegram. "Why spend billions if they're going to get hit again tomorrow?" he asked. He said the government was effectively giving companies an ultimatum: "If you don't finance the restoration of the refineries, we'll take them away from you." In the latest attack, Ukraine's General Staff said on Tuesday that its forces struck facilities at Russia's Afipsky oil refinery in the Krasnodar region overnight, causing a fire. Krasnodar Governor Veniamin Kondratyev also said a fire broke out at an oil refinery in the town of Afipsky.Russia is facing broader economic strain as the costly war continues. The government has raised taxes and increased domestic borrowing to keep the budget deficit under control, and taking over major companies could potentially bring in extra revenue. At the same time, taking control of damaged assets could also create another financial burden for the authorities. The measure may also be aimed at pushing companies to take more responsibility for air defence, as Russia's vast territory is difficult to protect fully. Russia has also moved to support Wildberries, its biggest online retailer, and businesses selling through it after Ukrainian strikes hit warehouses used by the company and thousands of sellers linked to it. On Monday, the Finance Ministry proposed extending deadlines for tax and insurance payments to give Wildberries and its sellers more financial breathing space. On Saturday, Putin told Russian state television that after Ukrainian strikes deep inside Russia, Moscow "must and will improve the air defense system and enhance its capabilities". He said, "We need to streamline coordination between defense, law enforcement and civilian agencies at all levels, and to leverage the capabilities of state-run enterprises and private businesses."In May, Russian lawmakers approved a bill allowing the country's Central Bank, state-controlled Sberbank and some other financial services to defend themselves from drone attacks by installing air defences on their premises. Russian news outlet RBC also reported in May, citing anonymous sources in and close to the Defence Ministry, that a mechanism had been set up for businesses to buy weapons and equipment to protect themselves from Ukrainian drone attacks. Overall, Putin's new decree adds another tool for the state as Russia tries to respond to repeated Ukrainian strikes on critical infrastructure and the economic pressure they are creating.With PTI Inputs- EndsPublished By: India Today Web Desk Published On: Aug 25, 2026 15:48 IST