A sweeping ban on drone flights across forty Russian regions has been triggered by a drone attack on the Kremlin. Industry insiders forecast economic repercussions amounting to roughly ten billion rubles, potentially pulling the market back to levels seen in 2018. The projection comes from equipment developers and manufacturers cited by Kommersant, who spoke on condition of anonymity about the broader impact on the sector.
The scope of the restrictions appears particularly pronounced in Moscow and nearby areas. Analysts estimate that losses in St. Petersburg could reach about 1.5 billion rubles, driven by reduced demand and halted operations in aerial photography, surveying, and related services. Yet the overall efficacy of these nationwide prohibitions remains a matter of debate, with experts arguing that the measures could be complemented by technological controls rather than broad, blanket bans.
Industry participants operating in Moscow, the Moscow region, and St. Petersburg have calculated that the stoppage of drone flights could erode profits for manufacturers and operators who rely on aerial services for tourism, infrastructure monitoring, real estate, and media coverage. The uncertainty surrounding how long the restrictions will last adds another layer of risk for businesses that invested in drone fleets and training in recent years.
Forecasts presented by Fly Dron, led by CEO Nikita Danilo, indicate that the nationwide ban could exceed ten billion rubles in losses when considering the combined effect on production, distribution, and service offerings across multiple regions. The assessment underscores the broader fragility of the market in the wake of security incidents that trigger swift regulatory responses and heightened scrutiny of unmanned aircraft operations.
City authorities in the capital currently restrict drone launches, with measures enforced since early May. The prohibition on unmanned aerial systems in the city has ripple effects on construction sites, event coverage, emergency response planning, and environmental monitoring, as operators adjust to a tighter regulatory environment and seek compliance strategies that minimize downtime and revenue disruption. The latest orders extend to forty regions across the federation, reflecting a shift toward stricter oversight and a push for standardized safety protocols in drone usage, including potential requirements for transponder-enabled route control and emergency stop capabilities to be deployed within weeks. (Kommersant)