[Translation prepared by Business & Human Rights Resource Centre]

"VTB has sent most of its Moscow City office employees to work remotely due to the threat of drone attacks – The Bell", 15 July 2025

VTB has notified employees of its central office in Moscow City about the transition to remote work due to the threat of drone attacks. This was reported by The Bell, citing three sources, two of which are close to the bank.

The publication's sources do not know who exactly notified the bank about the risk of drone attacks. According to them, the restrictions were introduced for two weeks. On July 14, some employees allegedly stayed home. The bank's divisions were allowed to leave no more than 20% of their staff at their workplaces.

TV presenter Ksenia Sobchak's Telegram channel says that "some organizations with offices in the Moscow City towers" are sending their employees to work remotely. They fear "that UAVs may attack the City in the next two weeks." However, it does not specify which companies are being discussed.

"Some organisations are compiling lists of those employees who still need to visit their workplaces in the City. At the same time, some companies have concluded that the danger is not so serious, and the restriction on employees visiting offices will apply at night," the statement said.

The offices of the Ministry of Digital Development, the Ministry of Economic Development and the Ministry of Industry and Trade are located in Moscow City. A source for The Bell in one of them said that there have been no orders to switch to remote work yet...