Russia seeks reservists to defend St Petersburg region from drones

The decision, announced by Leningrad region Governor Alexander Drozdenko, follows a series of successful long-range drone strikes that have caused disruptions and damage. Drozdenko stated that new "mobile fire groups" staffed by reservists will be created to bolster the protection of airspace over crucial facilities. The governor has openly described the area, which includes St. Petersburg, as a "frontline region," urging residents to understand the gravity of the new security measures. This initiative aims to add 54 new units to the 80 already in place, with a target completion by the beginning of June 2026.

The call-up specifically targets veterans and former soldiers, who are being encouraged to sign three-year contracts for service in the mobilization reserve. Their primary role will be the detection and destruction of aerial targets, with active duty service periods lasting from two to six months. In a novel arrangement, these reservists will also be formally employed by the industrial enterprises and critical infrastructure sites they are assigned to guard, a measure seemingly designed to integrate security directly with the facilities most at risk. The new units will operate under the command of the 6th Guards Air Force and Air Defense Army.

This regional mobilization is a direct consequence of a sustained wave of drone attacks that have intensified since the beginning of the year. The strikes have targeted major oil export hubs at Ust-Luga and Primorsk, which are vital to Russia's economy and handle a significant portion of its seaborne oil exports. The attacks have caused fires, temporarily halted operations, and at one point were estimated to have contributed to a substantial reduction in the country's overall oil export capacity. The drone threat has also repeatedly disrupted civilian air travel, forcing delays and cancellations at St. Petersburg's Pulkovo Airport.

The turn to reservists for air defense duties highlights the strain on Russia's military resources. The redeployment of conventional air defense systems to other fronts has reportedly created vulnerabilities far from the main conflict zones. This latest measure represents a localized solution to a persistent and evolving threat that has managed to bypass existing defenses. The plan to use mobile groups suggests a need for a flexible and dispersed defense network capable of countering drones that can approach from multiple directions. The effectiveness of these new reservist-manned units in protecting a vast and complex network of strategic sites will be a critical factor in securing Russia's vital economic infrastructure in the months ahead.