Regional leaders in Russia now can create local military companies. This has been made possible due to an amendment introduced by the State Duma to the bill on expanding the boundaries of the draft age. The "Agency" brought this development to light on July 25.
Under this amendment, state unitary enterprises can be established by governors to assist security forces in protecting national borders and combating DRGs (diversionary reconnaissance groups) and "illegal armed groups." These companies can be created during mobilization, wartime, or with martial law in place.
The decision to establish or dissolve these military state companies will be made by the president. Funding for their armament will be allocated from both federal and regional budgets. Members of these companies will be equipped with combat small arms and ammunition and will have the authority to use force in the same cases as corporate security units. They will be responsible also for neutralizing drones.
Following the outbreak of the war in Ukraine, self-defense units have been formed in border regions, and they began to be armed in July 2023.
In the summer, territorial defense units emerged in regions that do not share borders with Ukraine. For instance, Pskov governor Mikhail Vedernikov established a territorial defense unit named "Alexander Nevsky's Druzhina." The unit is intended to counter NATO in the event of any threats. Territorial defense units will also be formed in the Oryol region as an effort by the authorities to "mobilize the civilian areas" using this approach.
