Russia has approved new legislation allowing security forces to intercept and shoot down hostile drones over offshore oil and gas platforms in the Caspian Sea, in a move aimed at protecting critical energy infrastructure.

The decision was confirmed by the upper house of parliament, the Federation Council, which passed the law on May 20. The measure is designed to strengthen defenses around Russia’s strategic offshore facilities amid increasing drone activity targeting energy assets, The Caspian Post reports via Reuters.

Under the new rules, security forces are granted expanded legal authority to neutralize unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) deemed a threat in the Russian sector of the Caspian Sea, particularly around oil and gas extraction sites.

Lawmakers said the legislation closes a legal gap that previously limited rapid response measures against aerial threats, while stressing that normal commercial shipping and fishing activity in the region will not be affected.

The law is expected to have a direct impact on major offshore energy projects operated by companies such as Lukoil, which manages key Caspian fields including the Vladimir Filanovsky and Yuri Korchagin platforms.

Drones are one of the most serious emerging threats to Russia’s economic security, especially as offshore infrastructure becomes increasingly exposed to long-range aerial operations.