Trending Now - Russia Enacts Law Empowering Banks to Combat Ukrainian Drones

WHO:

ABC News - Russia's lower house of parliament, President Vladimir Putin, Russian banks including Sberbank, and the State Duma Committee on Financial Markets chaired by Anatoly Aksakov.

CNBC - Russia's central bank, Sberbank, the Russian Cash Collection Association, and Special Postal Service.

WHAT:

ABC News - The lower house of parliament approved a plan for bank staff and branches to help counter Ukrainian drone attacks.

ABC News - The bill allows bank employees to jam or intercept drone control signals and damage or destroy drones threatening their facilities.

CNBC - A law was passed authorizing the central bank and other financial institutions to repel drone attacks using their own defense systems.

CNBC - Employees will be empowered to prevent the operation of unmanned aerial vehicles and other automated unmanned systems.

WHERE:

ABC News - Russia, specifically mentioning that banks are located in almost every town.

CNBC - Russia's central bank and other financial institutions.

WHEN:

ABC News - The bill was passed in its third and final reading on a Tuesday.

ABC News - The bill was first presented in August of the previous year.

CNBC - The law was passed by the State Duma on a Tuesday.

WHY:

ABC News - Russia is struggling to protect its territory from increasing Ukrainian drone attacks.

ABC News - The plan aims to expand Russia’s air defense capabilities by involving banks in protective measures against aerial strikes.

CNBC - The law is a response to Ukraine's military opting for longer-range drone strikes, stretching Russia's defense capacity.

HOW:

ABC News - Banks will install electronic jamming systems and selected employees will be trained to shoot down incoming drones.

ABC News - Each organization will determine which employees are authorized to deploy the measures.

CNBC - Attacks could be thwarted by jamming or converting drone remote control signals and damaging or destroying the drones.

(UPDATED May 27, 2026 14:59 UTC)

Russia's lower house of parliament has approved a new law allowing banks to actively counter Ukrainian drone attacks by jamming or intercepting drone control signals and even damaging or destroying threatening drones. This legislation, which empowers bank employees to use defense systems against unmanned aerial vehicles, was passed by the State Duma in its third and final reading on a Tuesday, following its initial presentation in August of the previous year. The move aims to enhance Russia's air defense capabilities as the country faces increasing drone strikes from Ukraine, with banks across the nation playing a crucial role in these protective measures.