Foresters in Rostov Region Await Permission for Drone Flights
Drones purchased for forest patrols are still not being used due to restrictions, and their delivery was previously delayed.
Feb 13, 2026 0
All four drones purchased for forest patrols are Russian-made, as shown in this illustrative image.
Source:
To protect the forest fund of Rostov Region, domestic unmanned aerial vehicles were purchased in 2025. As reported by Vladimir Astashev, head of the forestry department of the regional Ministry of Natural Resources, the equipment is intended for aerial patrol of territories.
Four drones of the «Geoscan 801» model were purchased for 6 million rubles (approximately $66,700 at current rates) as part of a regional project aimed at stimulating demand for Russian UAVs. Funding was provided by the regional Ministry of Natural Resources.
Key parameters of the devices:
- Dimensions: length 57 cm (22 in), width 62 cm (24 in)
- Takeoff weight: 1.5 kg (3.3 lb)
- Payload: 100 g (0.2 lb)
- Ceiling height: 4000 m (13,100 ft)
- Maximum speed: 54 km/h
- Communication range: 10 km
- Flight duration with payload: 0.6 hours
- Flight range with typical payload: 30 km
The contract with the State Transport Leasing Company was signed in July 2024, with half the amount transferred immediately. It was planned that the equipment would arrive by the end of the same year, but the delivery was delayed.
The drones arrived in the region only in March 2025, and were finally accepted and paid for in May. According to Astashev, the delays were caused by problems with the supplier: «The long delivery and acceptance times are due to problems on the supplier»s side. Specifically, the untimely assembly of UAVs due to a shortage of components and the rectification of defects in the supplied UAVs.«
Nine forest protection employees, overseeing four territories of the region, have been trained to operate the new equipment. However, they are prohibited from using it due to restrictions on drone use, which have been in effect in Rostov Region since autumn 2022. These measures are related to the medium level of response established in several regions by the president«s decision.
«Due to this, we have not yet started operating the drone systems. They are in storage. We are waiting and ready to start,» explained Astashev.
Earlier in the region, works were announced to restore state forest belts, created more than 50 years ago in accordance with Stalin«s plan for the transformation of nature.
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