Putin clears firearm usage for private groups guarding energy sites

As of March 2026, Russian President Vladimir Putin has signed a new law enabling private security companies (PSCs) to use firearms, including combat automatic weapons, to defend critical energy infrastructure.This measure, which takes immediate effect, is a response to intensifying drone strikes on Russian oil refineries and energy infrastructure by Ukraine.Key Details of the Law:Armament Upgrades: Private guards at critical energy facilities can now use more powerful weapons, such as Kalashnikov assault rifles, rather than being restricted to less-lethal options.Anti-Drone Measures: The law authorizes the use of weapons to shoot down aerial, surface, and underwater drones.Role of National Guard (Rosgvardia): Private firms obtain these weapons through the National Guard, and they must be returned within two weeks after contracts terminate.Scope: The new rules apply to “critically important energy facilities,” covering sectors protected by private security, which account for over 80% of Russia’s fuel and energy complex.This action signifies a further militarization of Russian civilian infrastructure protection amidst the ongoing war with Ukraine, which has seen hundreds of attacks on energy facilities since 2024.