Lukashenko banned Belarusians from importing, using and producing drones

Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko has taken a significant step by imposing restrictions on civilian drones, a move that has not received international recognition. The presidential press service released information about Decree No. 297, titled "On State Registration and Operation of Civil Unmanned Aerial Vehicles," which aims to enhance public safety and establish a framework for the registration and use of civilian drones and model aircraft within the country.

Lukashenko's Controversial Decree: A Ban on Civilian Drones

Under the provisions of this decree, the import, storage, sale, operation, and production of civilian drones are now exclusively permitted for organizations and individual entrepreneurs engaged in business and professional activities, provided they comply with the regulations outlined in the decree.

Importantly, obtaining the necessary authorization from the Department of Aviation within the Ministry of Transport and Communications is a prerequisite for organizations and individual entrepreneurs wishing to import civilian drones. This department is responsible for overseeing the registration of such drones owned by these entities.

However, the decree explicitly prohibits private individuals from engaging in the import, storage, sale, operation, and production of civilian drones on Belarusian soil. For individuals in Belarus, the restrictions regarding import, operation, and production of drones will take effect upon the official publication of the decree.

As for storage and disposal, these regulations will come into force six months following the decree's publication. During this transitional period, individuals within Belarus have the option to sell their drones to organizations or individual entrepreneurs or transfer them to a government-designated storage facility.

This move by President Lukashenko is framed as a measure to enhance public safety and regulate the use of civilian drones, although it has generated concerns about restrictions on individual freedoms and potential impacts on the drone industry within Belarus. It remains a subject of international debate due to Belarus' political isolation from many countries.