Russia braces for tighter drone controls across regions

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In Russia, large corporations may obtain authorization to deploy electronic countermeasures aimed at protecting facilities from unmanned aerial systems. This shift comes as a national news outlet, citing a source close to the government, reports that officials are exploring new tools to guard critical sites from drone activity. The approach would allow vetted enterprises to access methods that can disrupt or block unwanted aerial incursions, reducing the risk to important infrastructure and operations. This potential policy change signals a broader trend toward heightened resilience for strategic assets amid evolving security challenges.

The Ministry of Digital Development is evaluating legislation that could grant sizeable companies the right to deploy electronic means to prevent unmanned vehicles from operating near their properties. The discussions reflect a growing interest in formalizing targeted intervention capabilities as part of regulatory measures designed to safeguard commercial and public facilities. Proponents argue that clear rules and oversight would enable rapid responses to drone threats while maintaining compliance with existing law and civil aviation standards.

Earlier, officials in Stavropol region prohibited the use of civil unmanned aircraft within their jurisdiction. The prohibition underscores a cautious, top-down approach to drone activity, prioritizing the containment of airspace use to minimize potential disruptions or safety risks. Local authorities emphasized that the ban applies to unmanned systems not granted explicit authorization, illustrating how regional authorities are experimenting with control mechanisms during periods of heightened concern about drone operations over populated or sensitive areas.

Before that, the Governor of the Kaluga Region, Vladislav Shapsha, enacted a decision that restricts the use of regional airspace by drones and balloons. The measure reflects a broader pattern of regional governance taking autonomous steps to manage aerial traffic and protect state or industrial interests. By narrowing where unmanned vehicles may operate, the administration aims to reduce incidents and support orderly airspace management across key zones within the region.

Similar restrictions were later announced by Vasily Golubev, head of the Rostov region, along with leaders in the Krasnodar Territory, Veniamin Kondratiev, and in Mari El, Yuri Zaitsev. Collectively, these actions illustrate a regional push to regulate unmanned flight with tighter controls and definitive limits. The sequence of decisions demonstrates how regional authorities are shaping drone policy in response to safety concerns, economic considerations, and the practical need to protect important facilities and public safety alike.

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