A 2024 directive from the Russian Ministry of Defense barred aircrew from using agricultural drones to tend fields within the temporarily closed sky zones across the southern and central parts of the country. The move, reported by RBC with reference to official sources, reflects a governance shift aimed at tightening airspace use during sensitive periods and regions.
The affected zones include the Krasnodar and Stavropol territories, along with Astrakhan, Volgograd, Voronezh, Lipetsk, and Tambov regions. The ban creates a ripple effect on field activities, compelling farmers and contractors to adjust schedules, switch equipment, or seek alternative means of field management in these districts.
Interest in field cultivation in the south has faced recurring disruption since 2022, driven by persistent overcast weather and geopolitical tensions. In the early phase of this period, the General Staff constrained the fleet of aircraft available for chemical field treatment, permitting only a subset of An-2 planes and Mi-2 helicopters to operate. In response, military authorities mandated the installation of ERA-GLONASS compatible aviation tracking devices on aircraft, signaling a broader push toward real-time flight monitoring and safer coordination of aerial operations.
Earlier data pointed to a rise in civilian drone registrations within the Russian Federation, noting a growth of about one third in 2023. This trend underscores the expanding civilian use of unmanned aerial systems, even as regulatory measures tighten circles around airspace use in strategic regions.
Across neighboring governance, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko issued a decree in September that established a framework for state registration and operation of civilian unmanned aerial vehicles. The measure restricts several activities, including import, use, purchase, sale, manufacture, or possession of drones by individuals, reflecting a stringent national stance on drone ownership and control.
In the Vologda region, steps were taken in August to restrict drone flights, illustrating a regional appetite for tighter surveillance and risk management of unmanned flights within territorial airspace. Observers note that such local bans interact with broader national policies, creating a mosaic of regulations that drone operators must navigate.
Past episodes in Crimea have also raised concerns about the use of filming drones for espionage purposes, highlighting a persistent tension between civilian drone activity and security objectives in volatile zones. These developments collectively point to a landscape where regulatory bodies continuously balance innovation and safety, often resulting in rapid shifts in permissible drone operations across multiple jurisdictions.