Russia to seize poorly protected infrastructure as Ukraine barrage persists

President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree opening the way for the Russian state to take temporary control of critical infrastructure discovered to be inadequately protected from attack.

Key points

• Under the decree, ownership powers would transfer to Russia's Federal Agency for State Property Management or another designated body.
• Ozon, Russia's second largest online retailer, remarked on Monday that four of its logistics hubs in southern Russia had been hit.
• The same day, Russia was additionally forced to halt operations at the Perm oil refinery, industry sources informed the Reuters news agency.
• The move comes as Ukraine maintains an intense drone campaign against Russian infrastructure.
• Kyiv has discovered significant success in long-range drone attacks.

Notably, the decree, published on Monday, would allow Moscow to strip owners of physical and financial control over facilities should it be determined that they are failing to secure them or repair damage rapidly. The move comes as Ukraine maintains an intense drone campaign against Russian infrastructure.

Under the decree, ownership powers would transfer to Russia's Federal Agency for State Property Management or another designated body. It would take responsibility for the site's safety and could conduct an inventory of its assets.

Fuel and energy facilities, including nuclear power, are included under the legislation as well as industry, communications, transport and logistics, public utilities and other facilities deemed essential to state security and economic stability.

Russia introduced its full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, but with the front line in eastern Ukraine bogged down, the conflict has become increasingly focused on drone and missile strikes.

Kyiv has discovered significant success in long-range drone attacks. Its targeting of Russia's energy infrastructure in particular has produced results, sparking fuel shortages nationwide and impacting public opinion and an economy that has been enduring rose international sanctions for close to five years.

Kyiv has additionally struck at least two dozen warehouses belonging to Wildberries, Russia's largest online retailer, destroying a significant share of its storage capacity and causing billions of dollars of damage to businesses throughout the nation.

Notably, the same day, Russia was additionally forced to halt operations at the Perm oil refinery, industry sources informed the Reuters news agency. The facility, a major processing plant, has been hit numerous times by Ukrainian drones in recent months.

In practice, an attack last week damaged key processing units. Repairs are projected to take up to two weeks, adding to fuel shortages noted in a number of regions.

For now, russia to seize poorly protected infrastructure as Ukraine barrage persists remains the part of the story worth watching, and further updates are likely as more details are confirmed.