Putin's Decree Enables State Seizure of Businesses Amid Drone Threats

• •Putin's decree allows state seizure of businesses failing to protect against drone strikes.
• •The law applies to critical sectors including energy and logistics without court oversight.
• •Legal experts warn of potential misuse for arbitrary asset seizures.

On October 18, 2026, President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing the Russian government to seize control of privately owned businesses that fail to protect against Ukrainian drone attacks. This decree, described as 'hybrid nationalisation', applies to critical sectors such as energy, transport, and logistics, and can be enacted solely through presidential instruction without court oversight. Legal experts warn that this could lead to arbitrary asset seizures under the guise of security failures. The decree does not specify the criteria for determining whether a business has met security requirements, raising concerns about its potential misuse. This move follows a broader trend of increasing military and civilian engagement in drone defense, as seen in a previous law allowing bank employees to neutralize drone threats. The implications of this decree could significantly impact the Russian business landscape, particularly in sectors deemed critical to national security.