Russia to impose flight restrictions on light aircraft, drones in Moscow and adjacent regions

Russia is introducing restrictions on light private aircraft and drones in Moscow and surrounding regions, requiring them to operate at altitudes of at least 5,200 meters.

Russia ​is introducing restrictions ​on flights by ‌light private ​aircraft and drones in Moscow and surrounding regions, ‌setting a minimum altitude requirement, aviation authority Rosaviatsiya said on Wednesday. Russia has in recent ‌months been regularly repelling Ukrainian drone attacks, ‌particularly targeting areas around Moscow.

Under the measures, light and ultralight aircraft, as well as drones, will ⁠be ​required ⁠to operate at altitudes of no less than 5,200 ⁠m (17,000 ft), which is out of reach ​for most of such aircraft. The restrictions will ⁠apply in Moscow and the Moscow region, and ⁠to ​a lesser extent in the Ryazan, Tula, Kaluga, Tver, Yaroslavl and Vladimir ⁠regions.

They will come into force on June ⁠20. ⁠Regular passenger and charter flights will continue to operate as normal.