Putin Took Emergency Powers Over Russian Industry. A $50,000 Drone Is Why.
Ukraine can put a Behemoth one-way attack drone over a Russian logistics hub for an estimated $35,000 to $50,000. Europe's newest €6.1 billion buys the costly systems that stop the return fire.
Ukraine can put a Behemoth one-way attack drone over a Russian logistics hub for an estimated $35,000 to $50,000. Europe's newest €6.1 billion buys the costly systems that stop the return fire.
August 24 Decree
Ukraine's one-way attack drones have become the war's most consequential capability, and the clearest evidence arrived on August 24. Vladimir Putin signed a decree granting the Russian state temporary control over critical infrastructure whose owners are judged to have protected it poorly or repaired it too slowly, Reuters reported. The executive order, published on Russia's official legal portal, covers fuel, energy, industry, communications, transport and logistics. A state does not claim emergency powers over its own economic infrastructure because a strike campaign is an irritant.
Three Ozon Hubs
The same night, Ukrainian drones struck at least three Ozon logistics centres across southern Russia and occupied Crimea, the Kyiv Post reported, extending the campaign against the retailer into a third consecutive night. Ozon said facilities in Krasnodar, Dagestan, Stavropol and Adygea were burning and that several people had been injured.
RBC-Ukraine, citing Fire Point, put the three hubs at Enem in Adygea, about 91,200 square metres; Nevinnomyssk in Stavropol Krai, about 93,500 square metres; and Tyube in Dagestan, about 130,000 square metres. More than 315,000 square metres of logistics capacity came under attack in one night. Tyube was being developed for international shipments to Azerbaijan and Iran through the North-South Transport Corridor, according to the same report, placing the strike on a route Moscow uses to work around sanctions.
The civilian toll needs care, because Russian accounts differ. Russia's defence ministry said three children were killed in Krasnodar, and children's rights commissioner Maria Lvova-Belova identified them as 13, 15 and 16, with six more hospitalised. The Kyiv Post, citing regional officials, said falling debris killed two children and injured nine people at a childcare centre.
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Putin's August 24 decree actually allow?
It lets the Russian state take temporary control of critical infrastructure whose owners are judged to have protected it poorly or repaired it too slowly after an attack, per Reuters. The order covers fuel, energy, industry, communications, transport and logistics, and transfers physical, financial and ownership rights to the Federal Agency for State Property Management or another designated body.
Which Ozon sites were hit, and how large were they?
RBC-Ukraine, citing Fire Point, identified hubs at Enem in Adygea (about 91,200 square metres), Nevinnomyssk in Stavropol Krai (about 93,500 square metres) and Tyube in Dagestan (about 130,000 square metres). Ozon said facilities in Krasnodar, Dagestan, Stavropol and Adygea were burning, per the BBC.
How far did Ozon's share price fall?
Shares fell as much as 12 percent on the Moscow Exchange on Monday morning and shareholder AFK Sistema lost almost 13 percent, according to the BBC. RBC-Ukraine measured a larger cumulative drop across the weekend's strikes, with the stock touching 2,158 roubles, 27.5 percent below its August 21 evening close.
What is the Behemoth drone and what does it cost?
Defence Blog reported it is a Ukrainian one-way attack drone from GLEFA and Culver Aerospace with a 2.28-metre wingspan, a stated range up to 300 kilometres and a roughly 75-kilogram tandem warhead. Open-source estimates put each unit at $35,000 to $50,000; Defence Blog did not attribute that figure to an official government source.
What did the European Commission approve, and what is still missing?
The Commission approved €6.1 billion for air and missile defence systems, missiles, ammunition and radars. TVP World reported this takes authorised defence procurement under the EU's €90 billion Ukraine Support Loan above €22 billion, with €8.35 billion disbursed before Monday. Politico put Ukraine's remaining defence shortfall at €23 billion for this year, and Zelensky asked allies to cover a €27 billion gap for 2026.
Why are fuel shortages spreading outside Russia?
Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan previously took up to 90 percent of their petrol from Russia, Carnegie Politika analyst Galiya Ibragimova told Al Jazeera. With the Omsk and Perm refineries offline after drone strikes, Kazakh fuel prices rose 15.6 percent this year per UlusMedia, Kyrgyz authorities spent about $11.4 million on subsidies, and Tajikistan signed a deal in Tehran for 2.5 million tonnes of Iranian fuel.
AI-generated summary, reviewed by an editor. More on our AI guidelines.
Below this point
- Moscow Exchange
- Behemoth Production Hall
- €6.1 Billion
- €23 Billion Hole
- Perm and Omsk
- Putin's Concession
- Next Decisions
Marcus Schuler
Marcus Schuler edits BattlePolicy, a daily defense-technology brief connecting the companies and capabilities behind modern war to the contest among Europe, the US, Russia, and China.