Putin Grants Russia Power to Seize Infrastructure Vulnerable to Drone Attacks
Russian State Empowered to Protect Critical Infrastructure Amid Drone Threats
MOSCOW, Aug 24 (Reuters) - President Vladimir Putin on Monday handed the Russian state the power to take control of critically important infrastructure if it is deemed to be poorly protected from Ukrainian drone attacks and other threats.
The special powers, set out in a presidential decree, will allow the state to take over temporary administration of such facilities at a time when Ukraine has stepped up drone attacks on oil refineries and retail warehouses.
Scope and Details of Presidential Decree
The state will be able to take control of physical and financial assets and formal ownership rights if entities responsible for such facilities are judged to have failed in their duty to protect them and are too slow to repair them after any attack, according to the decree.
Facilities and Assets Covered
It applies to fuel, energy, industrial, communications, transport and logistics facilities and other objects regarded as critically-important for ensuring the security and economic stability of the state and the population.
Official Statements and Clarifications
Government Position on Nationalisation
First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov said the measure should not be viewed as a precursor to nationalisation and would not be used on a broad scale.
Clarification from Manturov
"This does not involve nationalisation or a change of ownership. The decree provides for the state to take part in managing an enterprise in order to address specific security issues," Manturov was quoted as saying by Interfax.
Recent Drone Attacks and Government Response
Impact on Commercial Warehouses
Putin last week ordered the government to launch a programme to rebuild commercial warehouses damaged or destroyed by Ukraine in recent weeks.
Attacks on Major Retailers
Kyiv has attacked at least two dozen warehouses belonging to Russia's top online retailer Wildberries since July 18, destroying a large chunk of its storage capacity. On Monday, Russia's second-largest online retailer Ozon, said four of its logistics hubs in southern Russia had been targeted in Ukrainian attacks.
(Reporting by ReutersEditing by Andrew Osborn, Alexandra Hudson)
