Russian lawmakers have approved a controversial plan that would enlist bank staff and branches in the fight against Ukrainian drone attacks. The lower house of parliament, the State Duma, passed the draft bill in its third and final reading on Tuesday, requiring banks to bear the cost of installing electronic jamming systems on their premises. Selected employees would also be authorized to shoot down incoming drones.
Bill Details and Next Steps
The bill, first presented last August and later expanded in scope according to state news agency Interfax, must still be approved by the upper house Federation Council and signed by President Vladimir Putin before becoming law. It encompasses Russia's central bank and other top institutions, including majority state-owned Sberbank.
Rationale Behind the Measure
Russia is struggling to protect its vast territory from a growing number of attacks by increasingly sophisticated Ukrainian long-range drones. Smaller drones are also hindering Russian troops along the 1,250-kilometer (780-mile) front line and disrupting supply lines, according to Western analysts and officials. However, Russian banks have not been a primary target for Ukrainian drones during the four years of war following Moscow's invasion.
The plan raises numerous questions about implementation, as the widespread installation of equipment and training of staff would require a significant organizational effort. Since banks are present in nearly every town, incorporating them into air defenses could help expand Russia's coverage.
Potential Implications
Under the proposed law, bank employees may jam or intercept drone control signals and damage or destroy uncrewed aerial, underwater, and ground vehicles threatening their facilities, without waiting for a response from security services. Anatoly Aksakov, chairman of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets, told 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.” Each organization will determine which employees are authorized to deploy these measures.
While President Putin has sought to shield ordinary Russians from the war, this step could work against his efforts by involving regular citizens in the conflict and making the consequences of the invasion more visible.
