Russia orders banks to intercept and destroy Ukrainian drones

Russian lawmakers have passed a bill that allows banks across Russia to install electronic jamming systems and train their employees to shoot down incoming unmanned aircraft. The legislation, which aims to protect Bank of Russia facilities from sabotage and terrorist attacks, was approved in its third and final reading in the lower house Duma on Tuesday.

The bill was prompted by an increase in drone attacks on Russian infrastructure, particularly targeting Moscow’s energy industry. To address this issue, banks would be required to finance the installation of jamming systems on their premises. The plan also includes training for bank employees to use these systems to intercept and destroy drones that pose a threat to their facilities.

The bill must still be approved by the upper house Federation Council and signed by President Vladimir Putin before coming into effect. It is unclear how the widespread installation of equipment and training of staff will work, but it has raised questions about the feasibility of the project.

Under the plan, bank employees would be authorized to take action without waiting for a response from security services. The bill states that jamming systems would be used to make it more difficult for drones to target and attack relevant targets, while also providing means to shoot down these drones.

The bill’s passage has sparked questions about how such a project will be implemented and whether it aligns with President Putin’s efforts to shield Russians from the consequences of the February 2022 invasion.

Source: Al Jazeera