Putin Signs Order Allowing Government to Seize Critical Infrastructure Following Attacks

Aug. 24, 2026 Vladimir Putin. kremlin.ru President Vladimir Putin on Monday granted the government powers to take control of critically important infrastructure sites if they are deemed to be poorly protected against Ukrainian strikes and other threats. The special powers, set out in an executive order, allow the state to assume control over the physical, financial and legal assets of facilities that fail to maintain adequate security or are slow to make repairs following attacks. Putin's order encompasses a wide array of sectors, including fuel, energy, industrial, communications, transportation and commercial logistics sites deemed essential to national security and economic stability. The new powers come a week after the president instructed the government to help rebuild commercial warehouses that have been damaged in Ukrainian attacks. Since the start of the summer, Ukraine has ramped up its attacks against Russian oil refineries and, increasingly, warehouses and logistics hubs belonging to major online retailers. On Monday, Russia's second-largest online retailer Ozon said four of its facilities in southern Russia were targeted in Ukrainian attacks. Reuters contributed reporting. Read more about: Infrastructure Sign up for our free weekly newsletter Our weekly newsletter contains a hand-picked selection of news, features, analysis and more from The Moscow Times. You will receive it in your mailbox every Friday. Never miss the latest news from Russia. Preview Subscribers agree to the Privacy Policy We sent a confirmation to your email. Please confirm your subscription. A Message from The Moscow Times: Dear readers, We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent." These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia. We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help. Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact. By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us. Once Monthly Annual Continue Not ready to support today? Remind me later. × Remind me next month Remind me Thank you! Your reminder is set. We will send you one reminder email a month from now. For details on the personal data we collect and how it is used, please see our Privacy Policy. Read more Feature ‘Crunching Ice Under My Feet’: In Russia’s Sakha, a Still-Unbuilt Bridge Is a Matter of Life and Death Unmet promises for a bridge over the Lena River have left many in Yakutsk effectively cut off from the rest of Russia for much of the year. 6 Min read opinion Vitaly Servetnik Russia’s Extreme Winter Storms Are a Climate Wake-Up Call the Kremlin Is Ignoring The Kremlin once suggested climate change could bring Russia advantages. But the chaos from recent storms tells a very different story. 4 Min read Utility Failures Plagued Russia During January Cold Snap – Report Novaya Gazeta Europe counted 1,788 reports of disruptions nationwide in January compared with 983 in the same month a year earlier. 2 Min read Ukrainian Drones Strike Oil Facilities in Russia’s Yaroslavl Region The region is home to several oil product pumping stations owned by pipeline giant Transneft. 1 Min read