Vladimir Putin has warned Russian companies that the state can temporarily seize control of their critical infrastructure if they fail to defend it against Ukrainian drone strikes. The threat, made on Monday, targets private firms in the energy, industrial, communications and transport and logistics sectors, and comes as Ukraine intensifies attacks on Russian ports, oil refineries and e-commerce facilities in an effort to damage the Russian economy ahead of winter.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said many business owners were failing to take adequate anti-drone precautions, while first deputy prime minister Denis Manturov sought to downplay the move, insisting it would not amount to nationalisation but rather targeted state involvement in managing security issues. Over four days, Ukraine struck six Ozon e-commerce sites, wiping nearly 30 per cent off the firm's share price, while 20 Wildberries facilities have also been hit previously. Ukraine's general staff also reported fresh strikes on the Afipsky refinery in Krasnodar (its eighth hit in a year) and the Novoshakhtinsk refinery in Rostov (its fourth), with analysts suggesting repeated attacks are making owners reluctant to invest in repairs.