Putin issues decree opening door to state control of key sites after deep Ukrainian drone strikes

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree granting the government temporary control over critical infrastructure if private owners fail to safeguard their properties from Ukrainian drone attacks or rebuild damaged facilities, following a series of intense and precise strikes from Kyiv. The Kremlin's motivations behind the decree, announced on Monday, remain uncertain; however, it encompasses various sectors such as energy, fuel, industrial, communication, transport, and logistics facilities.

Deputy Prime Minister Denis Manturov clarified that the decree does not entail nationalization or ownership changes, but rather involves the state in managing enterprises to address specific security concerns. He emphasized that the mechanism is unlikely to be widely applied, with decisions to be made at the highest level only after careful consideration.

Political analyst Abbas Gallyamov suggested that the decree could serve as a tactical measure to compel owners of frequently targeted oil refineries to undertake necessary repairs, as the repeated strikes have discouraged them from investing in restoration efforts.