Russia lets banks help defendbanks help defend against Ukrainian drones
Russia has passed a law allowing the central bank and other financial institutions to operate defense systems and arm staff against drone attacks, with lawmakers in Moscow advancing the measure on Tuesday and Wednesday.
The rules give bank employees new authority to jam, intercept, damage, or destroy uncrewed vehicles threatening their facilities without waiting for security services, which highlights how the war is pushing civilian institutions deeper into defense roles.
Russian Perspective
Supporters of the law say banks need faster tools to protect critical financial infrastructure from drone attacks. They frame the measure as a practical response to a war that has increasingly reached deep behind the front lines.
Ukrainian Perspective
From Kyiv's point of view, the law reflects Russia's effort to normalize the impact of its war on civilian life and institutions. Ukrainian officials have generally treated such measures as evidence that Russia's own territory is under growing pressure from the conflict.
- Banks have long been treated as critical infrastructure because disruptions can quickly spread through an economy.
- Ukraine's drone campaign has pushed Russia to expand air defenses far beyond traditional military sites.
- Russia's parliament is known as the Federal Assembly, with the Duma serving as its more influential chamber.
Russia-Ukraine War
Russia and Ukraine are locked in an retaliatory long-range drone and missile war that now strikes deep into both countries, including Moscow, St. Petersburg, Crimea, and major Ukrainian cities like Kyiv and Dnipro. Ukrainian forces launched one of their largest drone attacks on June 26, striking 12 Russian regions and hitting key energy targets, while Russia continues massive retaliatory bombardments that kill civilians and destroy infrastructure.
26 June, 09:41 AM
Ukraine unleashes massive drone bombardment on 12 Russian regions24 June, 10:31 AM
Ukrainian drones knock out power in Russian-held Sevastopol22 June, 03:20 PM
Ukraine strikes Russian missile electronics plant in Voronezh
