Russia RU
Any drone of 150 g or more must be registered with Rosaviatsia, but since 2022 most Russian regions have banned civilian drone flights outright under the 'counter-terrorism operation' legal regime, and restrictions have tightened further through 2025–2026 with new regional bans, GPS jamming and mobile-internet shutdowns. There is no realistic path for a tourist to fly a drone in most of the country.
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Visitors can't fly drones in Russia
- Wartime drone bans, GPS jamming and heavy penalties across much of Russia
Since 2022, most Russian regions have invoked the 'counter-terrorism operation' legal regime to ban civilian drone flights outright, and the situation has tightened further in 2025–2026: a Rosaviatsia order banned all civil UAV and light-aircraft flights up to 5,200 m over Moscow, most of Moscow region and parts of Ryazan, Tula, Kaluga, Tver, Yaroslavl and Vladimir regions from 20 June 2026 'until further notice'. GPS jamming and frequent mobile-network shutdowns (including a mandatory 24-hour data block for foreign SIM cards on entry) make navigation unreliable nationwide, and Kaliningrad plus all border regions (with Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltic states, Georgia, Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan) are treated as high-security zones with an elevated risk of arrest for any flying camera device. Unauthorised flights, or flights near military, government or transport sites, can lead to confiscation, large fines, criminal prosecution, and deportation with an entry ban for foreigners. Tourists should not plan to fly a drone anywhere in Russia in 2026.
- Flying not allowed for visitors
Any drone of 150 g or more must be registered with Rosaviatsia, but since 2022 most Russian regions have banned civilian drone flights outright under the 'counter-terrorism operation' legal regime, and restrictions have tightened further through 2025–2026 with new regional bans, GPS jamming and mobile-internet shutdowns. There is no realistic path for a tourist to fly a drone in most of the country.
Flying
- Rosaviatsia registration is required for any UAV of 150 g or more, via the Gosuslugi state-services portal or the aircraft registration portal, within 10 days of purchase or import, and must be completed before any flight
- Since 2022, most regional governors have used the 'counter-terrorism operation' regime to ban all civilian drone flights within their region; as of late 2026 this covers the great majority of European Russia, including Moscow and St Petersburg
- A Rosaviatsia order effective 20 June 2026 additionally bans all civil UAV and light-aircraft flights up to 5,200 m over Moscow, most of Moscow region, and parts of Ryazan, Tula, Kaluga, Tver, Yaroslavl and Vladimir regions 'until further notice'
- Widespread GPS jamming and periodic mobile-internet shutdowns near real or perceived drone threats make navigation and remote control unreliable even where flying is nominally permitted
- Foreign visitors' mobile data on foreign SIM cards is blocked for 24 hours on entry as an anti-drone measure, and further local shutdowns are common, especially in border and southern regions
- From 1 March 2026, registered civilian drones must transmit real-time flight data through the ERA-GLONASS system
- Flying near military sites, airports, government buildings, Kaliningrad, or any border region (with Ukraine, Belarus, the Baltics, Georgia, Azerbaijan or Kazakhstan) is treated as a serious security matter, not an administrative one
Commercial use: Commercial and professional operators need Rosaviatsia registration, an operator certificate for larger/complex UAS, and case-by-case flight clearance from regional air-traffic and security authorities. Given the current security climate, approvals for foreign-linked productions or foreign operators are rare and cannot be assumed.
Registration & classes
| Registration | Yes (from 150 g) Registration is free and done via Gosuslugi or Rosaviatsia's aircraft registration portal with the drone's model, serial number and photos, within 10 days of purchase or import. A foreigner needs a valid legal basis for being in Russia (e.g. a visa) to register a drone; there is no separate tourist fast-track, and registering the drone does not itself authorise flying it where regional bans apply. |
|---|---|
| Pilot test | Sometimes (in person) External pilot certificate (свидетельство внешнего пилота). Formal pilot certification is mainly required for larger or commercial UAS operations through certified aviation training centres. Ordinary small hobby/tourist drones do not require a standard exam, but this is largely moot given regional flight bans. |
| Remote ID | Yes (from 150 g) From 1 March 2026, all registered civilian UAS must transmit real-time flight data through the state ERA-GLONASS system — a networked reporting requirement rather than a broadcast Remote ID standard. |
| Insurance | Yes Federal aviation rules are reported to require third-party liability insurance for UAS operators, including hobbyists; the exact weight threshold and typical cover amounts were not confirmed in official sources, so treat this as applying to any registered drone. |
| Foreign registration accepted | No Foreigners must register any drone of 150 g or more in Russia themselves, which requires a valid legal basis for being in the country; there is no way to pre-register from abroad. Even after registration, actually flying is blocked in practice across most of European Russia by regional bans, GPS jamming and the June 2026 Moscow-area flight ban. Penalties for foreigners who fly without authorisation, or fly in a restricted area, can include confiscation, fines, criminal charges, deportation and a future entry ban. Check current government travel advisories (e.g. your country's foreign ministry) before travel, since drone and general security restrictions are changing frequently. |
Weight classes
| Class | Weight | Rules |
|---|---|---|
| Under 150 g | < 150 g | No Rosaviatsia registration required, but regional flight bans and security restrictions can still apply regardless of weight. |
| 150 g – under 30 kg | 150 g – 29.9 kg | Rosaviatsia registration via Gosuslugi required; ERA-GLONASS flight-data reporting applies from March 2026; flight still subject to regional bans and case-by-case airspace clearance. |
| 30 kg and above / certified categories | ≥ 30 kg | Additional certification, an external pilot certificate, and operator-level approval are required; realistically limited to state, research or commercial operators. |
Import & export
- No explicit personal-use ban was found on bringing one drone into Russia as a traveller, but customs and security screening of camera-equipped UAS has intensified in the current security climate, and confiscation is possible, particularly for larger or professional-looking equipment.
- No radio/type-approval scheme specific to drones was confirmed for personal imports; standard Russian customs and communications-equipment rules may apply to the drone's radio transmitter.
- Batteries: Standard international air-travel lithium-battery rules apply (carry-on only); no Russia-specific battery restriction was found.
- EU, US and allied sanctions restrict the export of drones and drone components (including hobby drones, cameras, radio-control equipment) to Russia; this affects availability and resale/repair inside Russia more than a tourist's ability to carry in their own drone.
- Given wartime security screening, expect questions or possible confiscation of any flying camera device at the border, independent of the formal registration rules.
- This entry should be treated as lower-confidence: no single authoritative customs page describing personal drone import was found.
Export
- Sanctions regimes imposed by the EU, US and other states restrict re-export of Western-made drones and components from Russia; there is no indication this affects a tourist leaving with the same drone they brought in.
Costs
| Operator registration | Unknown Validity: No fixed expiry; re-registration is required if ownership, specifications or airworthiness status change |
|---|---|
| External pilot certificate (свидетельство внешнего пилота) | Unknown |
| Import taxes | ? % duty + ? % VAT Usually only for drones you buy abroad and bring in to keep. |
Guides
Bringing a drone to Russia as a visitor — and why you probably shouldn't Visitors
- Assume you cannot fly
Most Russian regions, including Moscow and St Petersburg, ban civilian drone flights outright under wartime security rules; treat recreational tourist flying as effectively banned nationwide in 2026.
- Do not rely on registration alone
Rosaviatsia registration of a 150 g+ drone (via Gosuslugi) is a separate step from getting permission to fly, and registering does not override regional bans.
- Expect scrutiny at the border
Camera-equipped drones can draw extra customs and security attention; be ready to explain the drone's purpose and accept the risk of confiscation.
- Avoid all sensitive areas
Never fly near military sites, airports, government buildings, transport infrastructure, Kaliningrad, or any border region — these carry serious criminal, not just administrative, risk.
- Check advisories before travel
Consult your government's current travel advisory and, if you must fly for professional reasons, arrange authorisation through a local partner well in advance.
Sources
- Rosaviatsia (FATA) – State registration of unmanned civil aircraft · accessed 24 Sept 2026
- Meduza — Russia bans light aircraft and civilian drone flights around Moscow · accessed 24 Sept 2026
- The Record from Recorded Future News — Russia blocks mobile internet for foreign SIM cards, citing drone threats · accessed 24 Sept 2026
- drone-laws.com — Russia Drone Laws 2026 · accessed 24 Sept 2026
How the score is built
- Drone flying banned for visitors−95
- Import restricted−25
- Duty + VAT ≈ 15 %−9
- Radio / type certification−4
Every score starts at 100 and loses points for each requirement. How scoring works