The Nizhny Novgorod drone experiment was expanded to two more regions.

      01 December 2025 15:37 Society The legal regime governing the use of unmanned aerial systems within the experiment launched in the Nizhny Novgorod region will now also apply to the territories of the Kaluga and Vladimir regions. Amendments have been made to a Russian government decree concerning the establishment of experimental legal regimes in the field of digital innovations.

      The innovations are aimed, among other things, at simplifying administrative procedures, such as obtaining flight authorizations both for flight personnel and for the drones themselves. This should significantly speed up the launch of pilot projects and the conduct of tests in real conditions.

      Recall that the experimental legal regime (ELR) for the operation of UAS was introduced in the Nizhny Novgorod region in November 2024. Its main task is to pilot unmanned technologies in the areas of cargo transportation, carrying out specialized aviation work, and conducting technological tests. The experiment is operated by the autonomous non-profit organization "Gorky Tech."

      Nizhny Novgorod Governor Gleb Nikitin emphasized that the experiment has allowed real projects to be launched without reducing the level of safety. According to him, thanks to the ELR, initiatives such as delivery of biomaterials by drones, aerologistics of consumer goods, and monitoring and aerial filming of agricultural areas have become possible in the region. He also noted that during the first year of the regime’s operation in the Nizhny Novgorod region more than 2,500 flights were carried out, demonstrating the region’s determination to actively introduce unmanned technologies into everyday practice.

      The expansion of the experiment received unanimous support from all 32 companies participating in the project, as well as from the federal Ministry of Transport, the organization "Digital Economy," and regional administrations.

      Roman Renzin, head of "Gorky Tech," called the geographic expansion of the ELR a logical and necessary step for scaling up successful solutions already tested in the Nizhny Novgorod region. He noted that the spread of UAS technologies to new subjects is the next stage in forming a full-fledged market for unmanned services at the federal level.

      In the opinion of Vladimir Voloshin, director of the Department for Digital Development and Data Economy of the Ministry of Economic Development of the Russian Federation, the experimental regime not only facilitates the implementation of new solutions but also helps solve important problems in urban agglomerations. He added that the ministry continues to adapt existing mechanisms taking business requests into account, and is also working to expand the geography of their application. This, he said, is in line with the directives of the President of Russia and contributes to strengthening the technological independence of the industry.

      To date, similar experiments are already being conducted in 28 federal subjects of the country, with the participation of more than 150 companies and individual entrepreneurs. As part of nationwide monitoring of the ELRs, more than 120,000 flights have been recorded, confirming high interest in this form of regulation in the field of unmanned systems.

      The development of unmanned aerial systems in Russia is being carried out within the national project "Unmanned Aerial Systems," developed on the instructions of President Vladimir Putin. The project’s implementation is aimed at creating conditions for the production of various types of unmanned vehicles, expanding their application areas, and forming a new high-tech industry that should open additional opportunities for both business and society as a whole.

      It was previously reported that unmanned tractors are being prepared for testing in the Nizhny Novgorod region. Also in September, deputies of the regional parliament considered the prospects of using UAVs to monitor animals.

      Recall that aerial courier delivery is being tested in the region.

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