Yamalo-Nenets region offers rewards for shooting down drones

Authorities in the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous Okrug, a Russian region critical to the nation's natural gas production, have announced a reward of 1 million rubles (approximately 10,300 to 12,000 euros) for members of mobile fire groups who successfully intercept enemy drones.

This incentive is reportedly the largest publicly recorded reward offered by any Russian region for shooting down Ukrainian UAVs. To qualify for the full amount, the intercepted drone must not cause damage to local infrastructure. The reward is to be split equally among the members of the mobile unit.

The decision follows increased concerns regarding long-range Ukrainian drone strikes targeting remote energy facilities. The Yamalo-Nenets region, located roughly 2,200 to 3,000 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, produces about 80% of Russia's natural gas. In September, an industrial facility in Novy Urengoy, often referred to as Russia's gas capital, was reportedly hit by a drone attack.