Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree allowing the state to take temporary control of privately owned businesses if authorities believe they have failed to protect their facilities from Ukrainian drone attacks.
Three days before Putin signed the decree, Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak asked oil companies to change their refinery maintenance schedules. The decree came into effect immediately. State control can be imposed if a company fails to take security measures against drone attacks, breaks security rules and takes security steps that authorities believe are not effective. Ukraine has accused Russia of continuing to target residential areas and civilian infrastructure.
The United Nations said at least 437 civilians were killed in Ukraine in July. This was the highest monthly civilian death count since May 2022. The number was 30% higher than in June and 70% higher than in July 2025.
It covers businesses and facilities linked to fuel and energy, industry, communications, nuclear energy, utilities, transport and logistics, according to Euro News . Lawyers said the order could even be given verbally. Political analyst Abbas Gallyamov called it “hybrid nationalisation”. He said companies could be attacked by drones and then face state action for allegedly failing to protect themselves. Lawyer Sergei Uchitel also warned that “temporary” state control could have serious consequences because once the state takes over management, owners could lose control of their business decisions, according to Euro News. Chris Weafer, CEO of Macro-Advisory, said the Kremlin wants Russian companies to spend their own money on protecting their factories and other facilities from Ukrainian drones.
