Drones to Monitor Safety Along Russia’s Northern Sea Route

Unmanned aerial systems will be deployed to monitor the Severnyy morskoy put (Northern Sea Route). Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin has signed a decree establishing an experimental legal regime that will run for three years. The program will cover Arctic waters and land areas across the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Nenets Autonomous Okrug, Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, Arkhangelsk and Murmansk regions, Krasnoyarsk Territory, Yakutia, Karelia and the Komi Republic.

For the first time in the region, a digital ice reconnaissance system based on a deck-launched unmanned aerial vehicle will be used. It will provide real-time data on route conditions and ice coverage to support safe navigation.

A Key Element of Navigation

Drone flights will be overseen by a remote pilot, who will receive radar imagery of selected water areas in real time with precise geolocation. The system is designed to deliver high-quality images even in challenging weather conditions. The pilot program also includes plans for unmanned cargo delivery. Over three years, at least 600 flights are planned, along with ice reconnaissance covering an area of about 6,000 square meters.

Mishustin said the government expects specialists to fine-tune all aspects of drone operations during the trial period, after which unmanned systems could become part of year-round navigation infrastructure in northern latitudes.