Putin authorizes the seizure of corporate assets that the government deems to be “insufficiently protected against drones”

Russian President Vladimir Putin has granted the government temporary authority to seize corporate assets, including property, securities, stakes in legal entities and property rights, when companies fail to adequately protect critical infrastructure against drone attacks. Decree No. 604, signed on Aug. 24, entered into force on the same day.

The decree defines critical infrastructure facilities as those in fuel and energy, communications, utilities, transport and logistics sectors, though the list remains open-ended. The decision to seize property lies with the government, as directed by Putin. The Federal Agency for State Property Management (Rosimushchestvo) will manage the seized assets unless another organization takes over.

The timeframe for temporary control is not specified, and the government can terminate it at Putin's discretion. The decree aims to address the surge in Ukrainian drone attacks on Russian industrial and logistics infrastructure, which has significantly increased since early 2024. In 2026 alone, Ukrainian drones successfully struck Russian refineries at least 194 times, nearly 12 times the rate in the same period of 2025.

Some refineries halted oil processing for extended periods following the attacks, causing fuel shortages and production delays. Additionally, Wildberries, a major Russian e-commerce retailer, has also faced systematic attacks on its warehouse infrastructure. Ukrainian drones targeted Wildberries warehouses in 16 Russian regions and annexed Simferopol, causing fires, evacuations, and significant operational disruptions.