Russian lawmakers on Tuesday approved legislation that would allow trained bank employees to engage Ukrainian drones, a measure aimed at bolstering defenses against increasing aerial attacks. The bill, which passed its third and final reading in the lower house Duma, mandates banks across the country to install electronic jamming systems.
Selected staff would receive training to intercept or neutralize incoming unmanned aircraft. This move comes as Ukraine has ramped up drone assaults on Russia's infrastructure, particularly targeting its vital energy sector, since the February 2022 invasion.
The legislation specifically seeks to protect facilities belonging to the Bank of Russia and other major financial institutions, including the majority state-owned Sberbank. It also covers sites located in the four eastern Ukrainian regions that Moscow claims to have annexed despite not fully controlling them.
Under the plan, financial institutions would bear the cost of installing the necessary equipment on their premises. With banks present in nearly every town, their incorporation into national defenses could significantly expand Russia's air defense coverage across its vast landmass.
Russian authorities have increasingly encouraged businesses to contribute to protective measures as the country struggles to counter a growing number of sophisticated long-range Ukrainian drones. The bill was initially introduced last August and later broadened in scope to include a wider range of protective actions.
The proposal still requires approval from the upper house Federation Council and President Vladimir Putin's signature before it can become law.
Anatoly Aksakov, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets, explained the dual approach to Russian media outlet RBK.
"Jamming will be used to make it more difficult for [the drones] to target and attack the relevant targets. Plus, we’ll also use means to shoot down these drones, thereby protecting the relevant targets."
The bill includes few details on implementation. This raises questions about the extensive organizational effort required for widespread equipment installation and staff training. The plan also marks a departure from President Vladimir Putin's stated aim of shielding ordinary Russians from the daily impacts of the February 2022 invasion.
Bank employees designated for this role would be authorized to jam or intercept drone control signals. They could also damage or destroy uncrewed aerial, underwater, and ground vehicles posing a threat to their facilities, without needing to wait for security services to respond. Each individual organization will determine which specific employees receive the necessary training.
