AI Takes on Illegal Logging in Russia’s Forests
In Russia’s Komi Republic, a new AI-driven digital platform is transforming forest management by detecting illegal logging and wildfires through satellite imagery analysis.
Massive Territories, Faster Response
A cutting-edge artificial intelligence system has been introduced in the Komi Republic to identify signs of deforestation and fire damage. Currently in testing, the system will be fully integrated into the national ‘Forest Fires’ platform by 2026. Using satellite data, the AI automatically scans and marks areas where vegetation cover has changed — a crucial capability for regions with vast and remote territories.
For such expansive areas, this marks a leap toward more precise and timely environmental oversight. The data will help authorities respond faster to fires and illegal logging, as well as verify forest user reports. According to Denis Mchedlishvili, Komi’s Minister of Digital Development, AI technologies have already been incorporated into natural resource analysis systems, as well as in the ‘Safe City’ initiative and other governance platforms.
Digital Environmental Monitoring
The region is actively developing geoinformation services, updating orthophotos and expanding its geoportal — now hosting data on 466 natural and economic sites. This digital infrastructure forms the backbone of environmental and land-use monitoring efforts.
Importantly, AI does not replace humans — it becomes a tool for systemic, data-driven management. By identifying problem areas in real time, it enables targeted restoration efforts and helps transition from occasional inspections to continuous monitoring of forest conditions.
Russia’s approach demonstrates how artificial intelligence can support sustainable forestry on a national scale, combining precision, transparency, and environmental responsibility.
