KYIV, May 27: Russia’s lower house of parliament has approved a draft law that would involve banks and their employees in defending against Ukrainian drone attacks. The bill, passed in its final reading on Tuesday, allows banks to install electronic jamming systems at their own expense and authorises selected staff to disrupt or even shoot down incoming drones threatening bank facilities.
The proposal still requires approval from the Federation Council and the signature of President Vladimir Putin before becoming law.
Russian authorities believe the country’s widespread banking network could strengthen national air defences because bank branches operate in almost every town. The legislation would apply not only to private banks but also to the Russian central bank and major institutions such as Sberbank.
The move comes as Russia struggles to defend its vast territory from increasingly frequent and sophisticated Ukrainian drone strikes. Western analysts say drones have also disrupted Russian military supply lines and slowed troop movements along the front line.
Under the bill, bank employees would be allowed to jam drone control signals and destroy unmanned aerial, underwater or ground vehicles without waiting for instructions from security services. Anatoly Aksakov, head of the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets, said jamming systems and other anti-drone measures would help protect key facilities.
However, the plan has raised practical and political questions. Experts note that installing equipment and training staff nationwide would require a major organisational effort.
Critics also say involving civilians and businesses more directly in defence efforts could make the effects of the war more visible to ordinary Russians. (AP)
