Russia allows central bank and Sberbank to down drones
CNBC • • world
Key Points:
- Russia has passed a law allowing its central bank and financial institutions to operate and arm their own drone defense systems to counter increasing Ukrainian drone strikes without involving special forces.
- The law permits employees at key institutions like Sberbank and the Russian Cash Collection Association to use jamming, signal interference, and physical destruction to repel drone attacks targeting protected facilities or personnel.
- Anti-drone defenses will be funded by the respective institutions, with systems positioned near critical sites to prevent or mitigate UAV and other unmanned system threats.
- The move comes amid escalating conflict between Russia and Ukraine, with Russia warning the U.S. of planned intensified strikes on Ukrainian military and drone-related facilities in Kyiv.
- Despite denials from both sides about targeting civilian infrastructure, attacks on critical infrastructure and cyber warfare have been reported throughout the ongoing war since February 2022.