The Ministry of Economic Development of Russia, together with the state corporation Rosatom, is considering launching a pilot project to use unmanned aerial vehicles in the Arctic region and on the Northern Sea Route.
The initiative involves creating special conditions to ensure the legal and safe operation of drones in remote and climatically challenging areas. The main task is to build a unified logistics and information infrastructure that can improve the transport accessibility of Arctic settlements.
The project is currently under discussion. It is expected that drones will be able to perform tasks related to ice reconnaissance. Similar technologies have already been implemented on the Atomflot icebreakers.
Senator Vladimir Pushkarev from the Yamal-Nenets Autonomous Okrug confirmed that the region is actively involved in the development of unmanned aviation. Since 2022, the YNAO has been operating an experimental legal regime that allows testing drones in real conditions.
As part of this program, the district is testing heavy drones used for transporting goods. Government Decree of April 2, 2025, extended the regime until April 28, 2028, which indicates its effectiveness.
The use of drones in the Arctic can significantly simplify logistics, increase the safety and reliability of transport routes, and accelerate response to emergencies in remote areas.
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