The Russian State Duma has enacted new legislation granting financial institutions the authority to deploy their own anti-drone defense systems. This move comes as the country faces an increasing frequency of long-range unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) strikes, which have strained existing national defense capabilities. Under the new law, entities such as the Central Bank of Russia, Sberbank, and the Special Postal Service are permitted to intercept and neutralize aerial, surface, and underwater drones to protect their facilities and personnel.

Employees at these institutions will be empowered to utilize various defensive measures, including signal jamming, interference with control panels, and the physical destruction of incoming drones. Furthermore, the legislation authorizes staff members to carry firearms to defend against potential threats. According to officials, these defensive systems will be funded directly by the institutions themselves rather than through state budgets, ensuring that key financial infrastructure remains operational despite the ongoing conflict.

This legislative shift reflects the broader challenges of modern warfare, where critical infrastructure has become a frequent target for automated systems. While both Russia and Ukraine maintain that they do not deliberately target civilian infrastructure, the escalation of drone technology has forced a decentralization of defense strategies. As the conflict continues to evolve, the integration of private security measures into national defense protocols marks a significant change in how Russia manages the protection of its most sensitive financial and state-run assets.