Plan
Drone rules: Russia
Last checked: October 5, 2026
Currently suspended
Drone operations are currently suspended. The details below only apply again once the suspension is lifted.
The German Foreign Office warns against travel to Russia; because of the war there are extensive, indefinite flight bans for civilian drones, including over Moscow and neighbouring regions since June 2026.
Drones from 150 g to 30 kg must be recorded with Rosaviatsia within 10 working days of purchase or import. Above 250 g, remote identification via ERA-GLONASS has also been mandatory since 1 March 2026; since 1 October 2026, flight plans without an active ERA-GLONASS account are rejected.
An insurance requirement for recreational flights is not officially documented.
Depending on drone weight
- From 150 g· Registration: RequiredFrom 150 g recording with Rosaviatsia required
- From 251 g· Registration: RequiredAbove 250 g additionally remote identification via ERA-GLONASS
For tourists
Leave the drone at home: there is a travel warning, many regions ban civilian drone flights, and even photos of state or military sites can lead to interrogation or arrest on suspicion of espionage. Registration and connection to ERA-GLONASS are practically impossible for tourists.
Further rules
- Important notice: across large parts of European Russia, extensive flight bans for civilian drones, often imposed at short notice, are in force because of the war – since June 2026, for example, over Moscow and several surrounding regions up to high altitudes, for an indefinite period (“until further notice”). This situation is constantly changing.
- Formally, drones from 150 grams to 30 kilograms must be recorded with the aviation authority Rosaviatsia within 10 working days of purchase or import. Since 1 March 2026, drones above 250 grams also need a remote identification device that sends data to the state system ERA-GLONASS; since 1 October 2026, air traffic control rejects flight plans without an active ERA-GLONASS account. Neither replaces checking local, often very short-notice flight bans.
- The German Foreign Office warns against travel to Russia. Since August 2025 there has been airspace class H, in which drones up to 30 kilograms may fly within visual line of sight up to 150 metres above ground without a flight plan – but regional flight bans take precedence. Even photos of state or military sites can lead to arrests; recreational flights are strongly discouraged.
Sources
- Auswärtiges Amt – Russische Föderation: Reise- und Sicherheitshinweiseofficial
- Rosaviatsia – Erfassung von Drohnen 0,15 bis 30 kgofficial
- Verkehrsministerium – Luftraumklasse H bis 150 m (01.08.2025)official
- Verkehrsministerium – ERA-GLONASS Pflicht für Flugpläne ab 01.10.2026official
- Rosaviatsia – Anbindung von Drohnen an ERA-GLONASSofficial
- Meduza – Flugverbot für zivile Drohnen um Moskau (Juni 2026)
This overview is not legal advice and not an official statement — laws change, and we cannot guarantee that every entry is fully up to date. Before your flight, please also check the official source or the local civil aviation authority.