Putin grants state control over vulnerable infrastructure

On August 24, 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a presidential decree granting the Russian state the authority to take temporary control of critically important infrastructure facilities deemed poorly protected against Ukrainian drone attacks and other threats. The decree allows the state to take over physical and financial assets and formal ownership rights if responsible entities fail to protect or promptly repair facilities after attacks. It covers fuel, energy, industrial, communications, transport, and logistics facilities. First Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov clarified that the measure is not a precursor to nationalisation and would not be used broadly. The decree follows a series of Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian oil refineries and retail warehouses, including at least two dozen attacks on Wildberries warehouses since July 18 and four logistics hubs of Ozon Holdings targeted on August 24. Putin also ordered a programme to rebuild damaged commercial warehouses.