Russian Energy Firms Spend Over $87 Million on Anti-Drone Defenses

Russian energy companies and water utilities have emerged as the biggest buyers of anti-drone equipment as businesses across the country prepare for Ukrainian aerial attacks.An analysis of procurement data by the independent Russian outlet Novaya Gazeta Europe found that companies are spending on a range of protective measures, including fencing, electronic warfare systems, and other counter-drone equipment.JOIN US ON TELEGRAMFollow our coverage of the war on the @Kyivpost_official.The largest investments have come from businesses responsible for electricity transmission, power generation, and water infrastructure.State-owned power grid operator Rosseti and its subsidiaries lead the spending, having allocated more than 3 billion rubles – approximately $37 million – to anti-drone defenses, according to the investigation.Moscow’s water utility, Mosvodokanal, ranks second, with spending of 1.7 billion rubles, or around $21 million. Mosvodokanal manages water supply and sanitation in Moscow and the surrounding region, generating electricity through nine small hydroelectric power plants.Energy group Inter RAO ranks third, having spent 1.3 billion rubles, or approximately $16 million, on anti-drone measures. The company owns major thermal power plants across several Russian regions, including areas in central Russia and the Transbaikal region.Other energy companies have also invested in protection. TGC-2, a Gazprom subsidiary available in five regions, spent 400 million rubles (around $5 million). Other Topics of Interest Putin Eyes Russian Factory Moves to Africa Amid Sanctions Russian firms are pitching mining, energy, and manufacturing projects in Africa as Putin seeks protected investments and closer economic ties. Lukoil-Ecoenergo, which owns five hydroelectric power plants in southern Russia, spent 350 million rubles (approximately $4.3 million).The investigation also identified civil aviation operators among the major buyers of counter-drone systems.Sheremetyevo Airport and the State Air Traffic Management Corporation were among the organizations purchasing such equipment. Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk Airport, far from Ukraine, reportedly allocated around 300 million rubles ($3.7 million), to anti-drone measures.The spending comes amid Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure. Between 2025 and 2026, Ukrainian forces targeted power generation and distribution facilities across a broad area, from occupied Crimea to Russia’s Ryazan region. Some attacks caused local electricity and heating outages, according to reports.President Volodymyr Zelensky has repeatedly proposed an “energy truce” with Russia, but Moscow has rejected the initiative.Zelensky said a proposed energy ceasefire with Russia had failed because Moscow continued attacking Ukrainian energy infrastructure.Speaking alongside Dutch Prime Minister Rob Jetten in The Hague on Wednesday, Oct. 28, he said Ukraine had supported US President Donald Trump’s proposal, but Russia did not reciprocate.Zelensky added that Russia launched a major attack on Ukrainian energy facilities after the proposal, prompting Ukraine to retaliate against Russian energy targets.“So now, when they attack our energy, we respond on energy,” he said, confirming that no mutual energy ceasefire was in place. Kyiv Post is Ukraine’s first and oldest English news organization, reporting since 1995. Its international reach – 90% of readers are outside of Ukraine – make it truly Ukraine’s global voice.