In Russia, Facial Recognition Tech Is Catching Criminals—And Finding Missing Kids

In Russia’s growing network of smart cities, facial recognition isn’t just a security feature—it’s a frontline crime-fighting tool

In the Novosibirsk region alone, authorities report that over 1,000 wanted individuals have been apprehended since the beginning of the year, thanks to the “Safe City” system. That’s already more than the total for all of 2024.

The spike in efficiency comes after a major infrastructure overhaul. Since 2022, more than 4,000 new AI-enabled cameras have been installed across the region. These devices monitor high-traffic areas like city streets, parks, public transit, shopping malls, and sports arenas—an always-on digital shield for urban life.

But it’s not just criminals being found. The region’s biometric analytics system has helped locate more than 100 missing persons. This year, Novosibirsk also launched Russia’s first digital platform dedicated to tracking missing children. So far, it’s already reunited five families.

Geolocation tools are now being integrated to expand search capabilities even further. As AI and real-time data continue to spread through urban infrastructure, the promise is clear: faster response times, safer cities, and fewer people lost in the system.