Russia: Putin signs decree for state seizure of drone-hit businesses

Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing the Russian state to impose temporary management over private businesses deemed to have failed in protecting themselves against Ukrainian drone attacks. The edict, which took effect immediately, targets sectors including fuel, energy, nuclear, communications, industry, transport, and logistics, as well as any facility deemed vital to national security and economic stability.

Under the new law, state management can be imposed without a court decision, based solely on presidential instruction, which legal experts noted could potentially be delivered orally. The decree does not specify the criteria or the authority responsible for determining if a company has failed to meet security requirements.

Legal and political analysts have characterized the move as ‘hybrid nationalisation.’ Critics suggest the broad definitions of critical infrastructure and the lack of judicial oversight could allow the state to seize assets under the pretext of security failures or be used as a tool in internal corporate disputes.