Russia’s infrastructure is being pummeled by Ukrainian strikes. Now Putin wants to seize control of it

Russia s Infrastructure Is Being Hit: Putin Signs Sweeping Decree

Activelifezero.com – Russia s infrastructure is being struck with increasing frequency, and Moscow has responded with a decree that effectively lets the state seize operational control of privately owned facilities deemed critical to national security. President Vladimir Putin signed the order granting the government authority to impose what it calls “temporary administration” over energy, transport, logistics, and communications assets whenever their owners are judged to have failed in protecting them from Ukrainian military strikes. The measure took effect on Monday, arriving at a moment when deep-range Ukrainian attacks have already triggered fuel shortages and pushed the conflict visibly closer to everyday Russian life.

In recent days, Kyiv has intensified targeting of Ozon logistics distribution centers across Russian territory, aiming at a major competitor of the already-frequently struck e-commerce platform Wildberries. The broader objective, analysts note, is to erode the economic backbone that sustains Moscow’s wartime mobilization.

What the Decree Actually Authorizes

The text of the order frames its rationale in formal language: the new powers are introduced “in connection with the growing threats to the security of critical infrastructure facilities of the Russian Federation.” Its scope spans fuel and energy networks, telecommunications, transport corridors, and logistics nodes. Under the decree, if a facility owner does not take what the government deems adequate steps to safeguard the asset or to restore operations swiftly after an attack, the state may assume direct control of the property, its associated rights, and its equity shares.

“Quite often the owners of enterprises do not pay proper attention to taking measures to ensure security, anti-drone security,” Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Tuesday. He added that Western backing for Kyiv is another factor compelling Moscow to “ensure our own security.”

Asked which specific companies might fall under the decree’s reach, Peskov deferred to the government and its relevant agencies, saying the situation would be “analyzed primarily” at that level. “Wherever security measures are not being taken in critical areas, corresponding proposals will be submitted,” he continued.

The Broader Air-War Context

While Ukrainian drones and missiles probe ever deeper into Russian territory, Russia has in turn escalated its own high-speed ballistic and cruise missile barrages against Ukrainian cities. Moscow appears to be exploiting a critical gap in Kyiv’s air-defense inventory: a shortage of US-made Patriot interceptors that Ukraine depends on to down ballistic missiles. That shortfall has been compounded by a global supply crunch tied to the ongoing Iran war.

Overnight into Tuesday, Russia fired two missiles and 150 drones at Ukraine. The Ukrainian Air Force reported shooting down 124 of the drones. Amid the interceptor gap, President Volodymyr Zelensky acknowledged that Kyiv had received only a “small number of Patriot missiles,” according to state outlet Ukrinform. He declined to name the supplying country, telling his Estonian counterpart in a Tuesday meeting: “I can’t say how many, but just a few. We need more.”

CNN’s Daria Tarasova-Markina contributed reporting to this story.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does “temporary administration” mean under the new decree?

It is a legal mechanism allowing the Russian state to assume day-to-day operational control of a privately owned critical-infrastructure asset—its buildings, equipment, property rights, and shares—when the owner is judged to have failed to protect the facility or restore it quickly after an attack. The arrangement is framed as temporary, but the decree does not set a fixed sunset date.

Which sectors are covered by the decree?

The order explicitly names fuel and energy infrastructure, communications networks, transport facilities, and logistics operations. The language is broad enough that other sectors could be added by subsequent government action.

How many drones did Russia launch at Ukraine most recently?

According to the Ukrainian Air Force, Russia launched two missiles and 150 drones in the overnight strike into Tuesday; 124 drones were reported shot down.

Why is Ukraine short of Patriot interceptors?

The shortage stems from both sustained combat consumption and a global supply crunch linked to the Iran war, which has strained production and allocation of interceptor missiles worldwide. Zelensky confirmed on Tuesday that only a “small number” of additional Patriots had arrived, without disclosing the donor.