Russia has adopted a new law authorizing its central bank and several major financial institutions, including Sberbank, to use defense systems and arm their staff to counter drone attacks without the involvement of special forces. The legislation was published Tuesday by the lower house of the Russian parliament.
This measure comes amid a rise in drone attacks targeting Russian territory since the start of the war in Ukraine in February 2022. According to Moscow, these strikes are regularly attributed to Ukrainian forces, which are targeting energy infrastructure in particular in order to weaken Russia's financial resources.
The new legislation mandates the installation of anti-drone defense systems near sensitive sites, including the Central Bank of Russia, Sberbank, and the Russian Cash Collection Association. Staff at these institutions may also be authorized to carry weapons for facility protection.
The costs associated with these security measures will be borne directly by the institutions concerned, according to parliamentary officials quoted by Russian media. This decision marks a form of security delegation, with companies becoming more involved in protecting their own strategic infrastructure.
At the same time, Russian economic officials indicated that companies were prepared to finance the purchase of heavier weaponry and electronic warfare systems to bolster the defense of sensitive sites. This development illustrates the gradual adaptation of the Russian economy to a protracted conflict that now directly affects the country's financial centers.
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