Russian banks to join fight against Ukrainian drones

Russian bank staff and branches could be joining the fight against Ukrainian drone attacks under an ambitious plan approved by the country’s lower house of parliament.

The banks would bear the cost of installing electronic jamming systems on their premises while selected employees would shoot down incoming drones, according to the draft bill passed in its third and final reading on Tuesday.

Since there are banks in almost every town, their incorporation in air defences could help expand Russia’s cover. The bill, which state news agency Interfax said was first presented last August and later expanded in scope, must still be approved by the upper house, the Federation Council and signed by President Vladimir Putin before coming into force. Russia is finding it hard to protect its large land mass from a growing number of attacks by increasingly sophisticated Ukrainian long-range drones.