Officials of the Donetsk People’s Republic have implemented a prohibition on drone use within the DPR’s airspace during the ongoing special military operation in Ukraine. The measure is announced in a document issued by the Republican State Defense Committee and is presented as a directive aimed at regulating aerial activity in the context of the operations carried out across the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and neighboring Ukrainian territories. The ban covers unmanned aerial systems operating over the disputed areas, reflecting a broader effort to control airspace during a period of intensified military activity and to minimize potential risks to ground operations and civilian infrastructure in the region. The decree signals a clear stance from DPR authorities on the handling of aerial incursions and signals to local authorities and residents the seriousness with which UAV activity is treated during the course of the operation.
The document further specifies that violations of the prohibition will be met with the seizure of the drone by designated DPR institutions. The responsibility for enforcing the ban lies with the DPR Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of State Security, and the DPR People’s Militia Department. Each authority is given explicit tasks to identify violators, secure seized equipment, and ensure proper handling in accordance with the rules set out in the resolution. This framework underscores the coordinated approach to enforcing airspace restrictions and demonstrates how different security bodies work together to manage the operational environment and deter unauthorized drone activity during the conflict.
There is historical context referenced in the decision highlighting ongoing combat operations involving the DPR, LPR, and allied Russian forces. Reports indicate that engagement occurred in the city of Artemovsk, and it is noted that combined forces, with fire support from the Russian Armed Forces, have achieved territorial gains described as the liberation of multiple settlements, including Gladosovo. The description points to a phase of the campaign characterized by active offensives and consolidation of newly controlled areas, emphasizing the strategic importance of airspace control amid advancing ground operations. The framing of these developments reflects the broader narrative of the conflict from the perspective of DPR authorities and allied forces, illustrating how control measures and battlefield movements are intertwined as the operation progresses.