Russia's Banks Arm Themselves Against Drone Threats

Russia has enacted a law enabling financial institutions to deploy their own defense systems against drone attacks. The central bank and major banks can arm staff without special forces' aid as a response to Ukraine's drone strikes targeting Russian energy infrastructure to cut wartime revenues.

In a significant move to protect key financial institutions, Russia has passed a law allowing its central bank and other financial bodies to establish their own defense systems and arm staff against drone attacks. This development comes amid regular drone strikes by Ukraine, which target Russian energy infrastructure in efforts to undermine Moscow's revenues.

The newly sanctioned law permits the central bank, Sberbank, and the Russian Cash Collection Association to implement drone defense systems without the involvement of special forces. Additionally, personnel at these institutions will have the authority to bear arms to bolster security.

On the issue of financing this drone defense initiative, Anatoly Aksakov, the head of the financial committee in the State Duma, stated that the institutions will bear the costs. Furthermore, Alexander Shokhin, a leading business figure in Russia, informed President Vladimir Putin that companies are prepared to invest in more robust weaponry and electronics to secure their infrastructure from potential drone threats.