Vladimir Putin signed decree number 604 granting the Russian state temporary management powers over critical infrastructure whose owners fail to implement adequate security measures against drone attacks or delay repairs, according to an official government text reported on August 25, 2026. The decree marks a tightening of state control over domestic assets as diplomatic channels stall and British military assistance to Ukraine intensifies.
Decree Number 604 and State Seizure of Critical Infrastructure
The new legislative measure invokes constitutional laws on martial law and the rising security threats facing what the Kremlin terms its special military operation, according to state documents. Under the order, the Russian government can assume control of facilities across energy, industry, telecommunications, public utilities, transport, nuclear power plants, logistics, and warehousing.
Management authority typically transfers to the federal property agency, Rosimushchestvo, granting state operators ownership powers without the right to sell assets, according to the decree terms. Return of the property requires a formal government decision, and operational costs are funded directly through the revenues generated by the seized entities.
The state intervention follows a wave of strikes targeting Russian logistics and commercial infrastructure. According to company reports from August 2026, at least 24 warehouses belonging to Wildberries were hit starting July 18, while rival e-commerce firm Ozon reported six facilities targeted over three days, sending its stock price down nearly 30 percent on the Moscow Exchange.
Stalled Diplomatic Missions and British Support for Ukraine
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov stated that Moscow remained ready to receive the delegation, but progress depended on concrete proposals.
Ivan Timofeev, general director of the Russian International Affairs Council, noted that negotiations currently lack a solid agenda or a theoretical perspective for resolution. While diplomatic exchanges between Moscow and Washington continue, Timofeev assessed that they have yielded no tangible results amid escalating Ukrainian strikes.
Concurrently, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov accused the United Kingdom of fueling the conflict, pointing to British backing for military manufacturing in Ukraine. British Prime Minister Andy Burnham visited Kyiv on his first foreign trip, during which London authorized European defense firm Mbda to share classified information regarding components of Scalp cruise missiles with Ukraine and France to enable local assembly, though analysts project operational missiles will not arrive before 2027.
Did you know?
The Scalp missile is the French designation for the British Storm Shadow, an air-launched precision weapon capable of striking targets at ranges exceeding 250 kilometers.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does decree number 604 allow the Russian government to do?
The decree allows the state to impose temporary management on critical infrastructure assets if owners fail to secure facilities against drone attacks or delay repair work, according to the Kremlin.
Which sectors are affected by the new Russian infrastructure decree?
The measure covers energy, industry, telecommunications, public utilities, transportation, nuclear power plants, logistics, and warehousing facilities.
Why was the diplomatic mission by US emissaries delayed?
What is the status of British missile cooperation with Ukraine?
London has authorized the sharing of technical data for Scalp cruise missiles to allow assembly in Ukraine, though analysts estimate operational units will not be deployed until 2027.
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