MOSCOW, October 16 (HS/RIA Novosti) - Russian oil companies are working with the Russian Defense Ministry to strengthen air defense system to protect refineries, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak said on Friday.

There are two directions here. First, strengthening the air defense system. The Ministry of Defense is working together with companies that also provide, among other things, support in terms of financing the procurement of the necessary air defense equipment. This is the first — it is active defense, Novak told reporters.

Additionally, Russian oil companies are independently providing passive protection for oil refineries against drone attacks, the official said.

We cooperate with our friendly countries, and especially with the countries that are members of the Eurasian Economic Union, on a mutually beneficial basis, both in terms of the supply of energy resources and, where possible, the processing of our oil and our energy resources. If necessary, we also consider issues related to the supply of fuel to the territory of Russia, Novak added.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Indrani Sarkar