Russia allows private companies to purchase heavy weapons for drone defence

Russia has granted private companies the right to purchase large-calibre weapons and specialized equipment for protection against drone attacks. The move marks a significant shift in Russian firearms regulations, allowing civilian businesses to arm themselves against UAV threats.

Russia has officially permitted private companies to procure heavy weapons and military-grade equipment specifically designed to counter drone attacks. The decision represents a notable change in how the Russian state regulates access to large-calibre armaments outside of military and law enforcement structures.

The new rules allow businesses operating on Russian territory to legally acquire anti-drone systems and associated heavy weaponry, reflecting growing concerns about the frequency and scale of UAV strikes targeting infrastructure and industrial sites across Russia. Drone attacks on Russian soil have intensified in recent years, prompting authorities to seek broader defensive coverage beyond what state security forces can provide.

The policy shift underscores the extent to which the war in Ukraine has reshaped domestic security arrangements inside Russia itself. By extending access to heavy weapons to private entities, the Kremlin appears to be acknowledging that conventional state defence networks are insufficient to protect all vulnerable civilian and commercial targets from aerial threats.