Putin hands state right to take control of badly protected infrastructure objects

Russian President Vladimir Putin chairs a meeting with members of the Security Council at the Kremlin in Moscow, Russia, August 21, 2026. Sputnik/Mikhail Metzel/Pool via REUTERS

Listen MOSCOW, Aug 24 - President Vladimir Putin on Monday handed the Russian state the authority to take control of critically-important infrastructure facilities if they are deemed to be poorly protected from Ukrainian drone attacks and other threats.