Russia cracking down on drone usage as it makes ERA-GLONASS navigation tech mandatory — GPS rival can monitor up to 1 million drones on land, water, and in the air in real time

(Image credit: Rosoboronexport)

Russia will reject flight plans from October 1 for civilian drones over 250 grams that are not connected to its ERA-GLONASS tracking system

ERA-GLONASS is Russia's eCall-style emergency telematics platform that effectively functions as a clearinghouse for tracker data

Officials are pitching the system as a way to lift regional drone bans, yet Moscow-area and St. Petersburg restrictions remain in force for now

From October 1 2026, Russia will stop accepting flight plans for civilian drones that…