Russia has begun deploying reservists to protect key infrastructure sites from Ukrainian drone attacks, DPA reported, citing reports in Russian media, BTA reported.
The governor of the Leningrad region, Alexander Drozdenko, told the Kommersant newspaper that a unit tasked with preventing sabotage and protecting key sites has begun operating in the region.
Initially, 105 reservists, equipped with weapons and vehicles, were sent to the Leningrad region. They will strengthen air defenses around strategic ports and energy and industrial facilities.
The Russian parliament recently passed a law that allows the use of reservists to protect strategically important sites.
Ukraine has repeatedly attacked Russian oil depots and refineries, as well as other critical infrastructure.
The Russian air defense forces report daily interceptions of drones, but the deployment of reservists highlights the ongoing challenges facing the country's security.
Former Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, who is now Secretary of Russia's Security Council, said that in recent years there has been a sharp increase in drone attacks. According to him, if two years ago there were isolated incidents, now hundreds of cases are registered.
Shoigu pointed out that the Volga Federal District, where many military plants are located, is also often attacked. The Secretary of the Security Council warned that the targeting of infrastructure, including railway and transport networks, could lead to the disruption of some supplies to the Russian army in Ukraine.