Putin Seizes Control of Russian Infrastructure Amid Escalating Ukrainian Strikes

Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a meeting at the Kremlin in Moscow on August 18. Contributor/Getty Images

Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a decree granting the government powers to temporarily take control of critical infrastructure across the country if private owners fail to protect it from escalating Ukrainian attacks. This new measure arrives as Moscow and Kyiv ramp up their air campaigns, with Ukrainian strikes deep into Russian territory triggering fuel shortages and bringing the conflict closer to home for ordinary citizens.

Kyiv has intensified attacks in recent days on Ozon logistics hubs in Russia—a competitor to the frequently targeted e-commerce giant Wildberries—in an effort to undermine Moscow's war-driven economy.

The decree, which went into force on Monday, states that these new measures are being introduced due to growing threats to the security of critical infrastructure facilities of the Russian Federation. It covers numerous sectors, including fuel and energy infrastructure, communications, and transport and logistics facilities.

If owners fail to take sufficient steps to ensure the security of such facilities or restore their functioning quickly enough after attacks, the government can implement temporary administration, handing the Russian state control of the owner's property, property rights, and shares.

A helicopter prepares to drop water during a fire at Russian e-commerce firm Wildberries’ logistics complex near the town of Podolsk, outside Moscow, on August 16. Tatyana Makeyeva/AFP/Getty Images

Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov stated on Tuesday that enterprise owners frequently fail to pay proper attention to security measures, including anti-drone defenses. He also pointed to Western support for Kyiv as another reason why Moscow must take measures to ensure its own security.

When asked which companies could fall under the decree, Peskov told reporters that the situation would be analyzed primarily by the government and relevant agencies. Wherever security measures are missing in critical areas, corresponding proposals will be submitted, he added.

Meanwhile, Russia has increasingly launched high-speed missile attacks across Ukraine, exploiting Kyiv's shortage of US-made Patriot air defense interceptors, a deficit worsened by a global supply crunch amid the Iran war. The Ukrainian Air Force reported that Russia launched two missiles and 150 drones overnight into Tuesday, with 124 drones shot down.

Amid the interceptor shortage, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Kyiv had received a small number of Patriot missiles, according to Ukrainian state media outlet Ukrinform. During a meeting with his Estonian counterpart, Zelensky stated that a few Patriot missiles had been received, though more are needed.