Russia mandates ERA-GLONASS link for civilian drones over 250 g
From October 2026, Russia will refuse flight plans for civilian drones heavier than 250 g unless they are connected to the state-run ERA-GLONASS system.
Russia is tightening its drone oversight by requiring any civilian unmanned aircraft weighing more than 250 grams to be linked to the ERA-GLONASS platform, a state service that uses the GLONASS satellite system. The regulation, which takes effect in October 2026, will invalidate flight plans for drones that lack this connection. This follows a February 2026 decree that mandated remote-identification hardware on aerial vehicles to transmit data on ownership, location, altitude and route.
Alekszej Rajkevics, head of JSC GLONASS, told the TASZSZ agency that the system is ready to monitor up to a million ground, water and air UAVs, yet only 1,030 users—752 organisations and 278 individuals—have joined, registering 1,205 drones. Critics note the gap between the number of drones produced and those recorded in the system, raising questions about the rule’s effectiveness in curbing unauthorized drone use.
Why it matters
The rule could limit unregistered drone operations and affect both hobbyists and potential security threats.
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