Drones help monitor runway equipment at Arkhangelsk airport

Vaskovo Airport in Arkhangelsk, in northern Russia, uses drones to inspect equipment around its runway lights.

Staff use the results to decide whether equipment settings need adjustment and to help keep the system in good condition.

The regional government says drone checks make this work faster, and major federal airports have shown interest in the approach.

Arkhangelsk Region is also using drones in forestry, including to monitor fire risks and detect illegal logging and waste storage.

It plans to apply autonomous systems in areas such as agriculture, emergency response and deliveries to remote places.

A regional aviation squadron has formed a unit to design, build and operate drones and other unmanned systems.

The region also aims to develop an autonomous cargo vessel called Clipper, and says it has suitable waterways and ports for testing such vessels.