AIRR Regions to Test Experimental Drone Regime in the Arctic Zone

Arkhangelsk Region, Krasnoyarsk Krai, and the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)—regions within the Northern Sea Route waters and land territories of the Arctic Zone—have joined an experimental legal regime (ELR) for operating unmanned aerial systems. The regime was established by the Russian Government. Five more Arctic regions are also participating in the testing: Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Karelia, and Komi. The experimental regime initiator and operator of the test site is "Atomflot" (part of Rosatom state corporation). The experiment's goal is to test an ice reconnaissance complex based on a deck-launched unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV). These complexes use radar, optoelectronic, and other technical means to provide real-time information on ice conditions for safe navigation along the Northern Sea Route.

"Working with the initiators, we have developed a unique testing program. Using unmanned technologies in remote areas and harsh climates will yield effective use cases, which will later support the implementation of the 'Unmanned Aerial Systems' national project in solutions for northern territories' development," commented Maxim Kolesnikov, First Deputy Minister of Economic Development of Russia.

"Arkhangelsk Oblast is one of the key regions in this experiment. For us, it offers a chance to strengthen Pomorye's role in Northern Sea Route development, enhance navigation safety and predictability, and lay the groundwork for new logistics solutions and tech projects in the Arctic," said Alexander Tsybulsky, Governor of Arkhangelsk Region.

Russia's Ministry of Economic Development, which oversees the experimental regime for unmanned aerial systems, explains that UAV flights will be controlled by an external pilot. The operator's workstation will receive live feeds of visible and infrared imagery, along with radar images of the required NSR waterway sections, geolocated. The complexes deliver high-quality radar images in the Arctic's severe weather and during fall-winter navigation. The experimental regime also plans air cargo delivery and aerial works. Over the three-year experiment, the program targets at least 600 flights and ice reconnaissance of 6,000 sq km of Northern Sea Route waters.

Effective Arctic development is impossible without modern unmanned technologies, says Vladimir Voloshin, Director of the Digital Development and Data Economy Department at Russia's Ministry of Economic Development. Even an icebreaking nuclear-powered vessel needs a small drone: extra navigation data from the drone significantly boosts efficiency on a nearly 6,000 km route. In the long term, this will reduce incident risks in complex international shipping scenarios and improve safety.

"A total of 12 experiments on unmanned aviation systems testing are underway, with one completed in 2025. Over 170 companies and individual entrepreneurs are involved, logging more than 140,000 UAV flights under experimental regimes and processing over 350,000 hectares of farmland. The Ministry is also expanding certain regimes to the Far East per the Russian President's instructions," Voloshin explained.


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