The Kremlin has allowed businesses to purchase air defense systems in response to the intensifying attacks by Ukrainian drones
In response to an increase in attacks by Ukrainian drones on industrial facilities, ports, and oil refineries, Russian authorities have allowed private companies to purchase air defense systems to protect their own facilities.
According to sources, the Russian Ministry of Defense will, under a non-public agreement, allow companies to purchase large-caliber air defense systems, though control over them will remain with the military. Special reserve units will operate the systems.
The list of permitted equipment may include anti-aircraft artillery systems, radar stations, electronic warfare systems, and weapon mounts.
This move is a response to the increasing number of Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy and raw materials infrastructure, as well as the expansion of the attack zone deeper into Russian territory. Recently, Ukrainian drones have been reaching targets as far as the Ural region, located approximately 2,000 kilometers from the border with Ukraine.
Last month, drone attacks hit eight of Russia’s ten largest oil refineries. As a result, daily oil refining volumes fell to their lowest level since 2009, increasing the risk of a fuel shortage in the domestic market during the summer surge in demand.
In addition to the oil industry, fertilizer production facilities and other strategic infrastructure sites were targeted.
According to sources, major Russian industrial companies have already begun to strengthen the protection of their facilities on their own. Some of them have reached agreements with the Russian Ministry of Defense regarding the deployment of “Pantsir” anti-aircraft missile systems near their facilities.
The de facto shifting of part of the responsibility for air defense onto the private sector indicates growing pressure on Russia’s critical infrastructure protection system amid regular attacks by Ukrainian drones.
As a reminder, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has granted 30 companies the right to form private air defense units.
In May, Ukraine’s air defense forces demonstrated high effectiveness in repelling Russian attacks, intercepting over 90% of aerial targets. Despite an increase in the number of drone and missile launches by Russia, Ukraine’s air defense has improved its interception rates. At the same time, one of the main challenges remains the shortage of missiles for systems capable of destroying ballistic targets, which pose one of the greatest threats during air attacks.
