The president of Belarus, Alexander Lukashenko, issued a decree titled On state registration and operation of civil unmanned aerial vehicles. The decree bans individuals from importing, using, buying, selling, manufacturing, or possessing drones within the country. It was published on the official portal of the head of state and outlines strict controls over drone activity in Belarus.
Under the decree, drones may circulate, be produced, and be operated only by organizations and individual entrepreneurs for legitimate commercial and professional purposes. Access to these activities is not open to the general public; enterprises must obtain authorization from the government before engaging in any drone related work. This creates a narrow, regulated framework where only vetted entities can manage drone programs, with government oversight to ensure compliance.
Effective immediately, the decree imposes a six month transition period during which the importation, production, and use of unmanned aerial vehicles are banned. After this window, the storage and sale of drones will become illegal unless the devices are transferred to registered entities or entrusted to an authorized organization selected by the state. The decree does not publicly name the specific organization designated to assume control of existing drones during this transition.
In addition, the decree calls for the establishment of a state wide accounting system for unmanned aerial vehicles. This registry will be overseen and audited by the aviation department within the republican Ministry of Transport and Communications, ensuring centralized oversight and record keeping for all drone assets, purchases, and operations across the country.
Historically, the region has seen ongoing development in drone technology and management. For instance, Russia recently advanced a drone swarm control system, signaling regional interest in scalable autonomous aerial capabilities. Belarus and neighboring states appear to be consolidating regulatory and operational frameworks that will shape how drones are used in commercial, industrial, and public safety roles in the near term. As these changes unfold, businesses and operators are advised to monitor official announcements for guidance on licensing, compliance obligations, and the process for transitioning existing drone assets into the new regulatory structure.