Russian ministry tells staffers to work from home until September following drone strikes on Moscow’s business district

The Russian Economic Development Ministry has introduced remote work for its staffers until September following a recent drone attack on the IQ Quarter skyscraper complex located in the Moscow International Business Center (business district also known as Moscow-City), the Kommersant daily reports, citing the order signed by Minister Maxim Reshetnikov.

“To establish the remote mode of work in the Russian Economic Development Ministry for federal state civil servants and employees filling positions that are not positions of the federal state civil service until 1 September 2023,” the document reads.

According to the newspaper, the ministry staffers can also now be in the government building between 8 AM and 10 PM. Moreover, heads of departments were instructed to communicate to their subordinates “the recommendations on how the staff of the government complex should act in case of a potential or unfolding terrorist act”.

The IQ Quarter tower in Moscow-City, which houses the Digital, Economic Development, as well as Trade and Industry Ministries, was attacked by drones for the second time in one week in the early hours of 1 August. According to ASTRA, the Russian Economic Development Ministry resides on the 21st floor, which was struck by a drone. The Russian Defence Ministry accused Ukraine of launching the strike.

Previously, two drones attacked two Moscow-City skyscrapers early on 30 July. The explosions affected the IQ Quarters and Oko 2 towers. A security guard was injured, windows shattered on four floors. The Russian Defence Ministry also accused Kyiv of the attack.