Vladimir Putin has signed a law permitting private security personnel to temporarily use military-grade firearms and ammunition to counter drone threats amid the ongoing conflict with Ukraine, according to state daily Rossiyskaya Gazeta.
The legislation specifically applies to private security organizations responsible for safeguarding strategic facilities, including critical fuel and energy infrastructure. It grants security guards access to combat automatic small arms used by the Russian National Guard, said Vasily Piskaryov, head of the State Duma Committee on Security and one of the law’s authors.
“The proposed measure will allow for a more rapid and effective response to security threats, as well as significantly enhance the anti-terrorist protection of critical facilities and the citizens working there,” Piskaryov said.
Officials noted that the move comes in response to a sharp rise in drone attacks targeting Russia’s fuel and energy sector, with more than 1,000 incidents recorded since 2024. The law is intended to strengthen on-site defenses and prevent potential sabotage or disruption of essential services.
Piskaryov also highlighted that the law establishes formal mechanisms for the monitoring, storage, and handling of firearms allocated to private security organizations, ensuring that use of military-grade weapons is controlled and accountable.
The federal law was published and came into effect on Monday, allowing immediate implementation for qualified private security personnel at designated strategic sites.
Analysts say the legislation reflects growing concern within Russia over unmanned aerial threats, particularly to critical infrastructure, and represents a significant expansion of authority for private security operators in the context of the ongoing war in Ukraine.
