Russia allows private companies to acquire heavy weapons to counter Ukrainian drones

The Russian government has approved a new mechanism that allows private companies to procure heavy weapons for protecting industrial facilities against Ukrainian drone attacks. Companies will be able to establish specialized fire teams designed to intercept drones over strategic locations.

The Russian government has confirmed a new procedure that gives private companies the right to acquire heavy weapons and establish fire teams to protect industrial infrastructure from attacks by Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles. The decision reflects the growing impact of Ukraine's drone war on Russian territory, where strikes have increasingly targeted civilian infrastructure and production facilities.

Under the new mechanism, Russian manufacturing and energy companies can apply for permits to procure heavy air defense systems, which were previously reserved exclusively for state structures. This represents a significant shift in Russia's internal security organization, as private capital is now being drawn into expanding the state air defense network.

In recent months, Ukraine has intensified drone strikes deep into Russian territory, hitting oil refineries, warehouses, and other strategic infrastructure. Such strikes have inflicted substantial economic damage and pressured Russian authorities to find rapid solutions for protecting the civilian sector.

According to defense experts, this move suggests that Russia's state air defense capacity is insufficient to cover all production infrastructure, forcing the country to rely on private company resources. The new procedure also raises questions about how the use of heavy weapons in private hands will be regulated and what responsibility applies in the event of incidents.