Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said during remarks at the Eastern Economic Forum that security at oil refineries and energy facilities across the country had been strengthened in recent months.
Novak said attacks on energy infrastructure had increased and that passive protection measures suited to the threat assessment were being implemented at the facilities. He said coordination had been established with the Ministry of Defense and the National Guard to procure the necessary equipment.
About 10% undergoing repairs
Novak said efforts to protect refineries and other energy facilities were imposing additional costs on companies, noting that disruptions at the facilities would cause major losses. He said companies were therefore making additional expenditures and stressed that security investments were necessary.
Novak said about 10% of the facilities were still undergoing repairs. He said the repair process had been accelerated so that idled capacity could be brought back into operation.
Comparison with the United Arab Emirates
Novak argued that oil refineries in Russia were currently better protected than refineries in the United Arab Emirates, attributing this view to Russia's consideration of a more severe threat assessment.
Novak said project institutes were working closely with refineries and that the level of protection at the facilities had been improved through experience gained in recent months.
Responding to a question about the installation in the United Arab Emirates of tall metal frameworks and netting resembling construction scaffolding around tanks, Novak said protection arrangements in Russia were determined in line with the country's own threat assessments.