Russia Integrates Advanced Neural Network Into “Digital Forest” Platform

Russian developers have added AI-driven monitoring to the country’s forest management system, enabling faster detection of wildfires, wind damage, and tree die-off through satellite imagery

In the Nizhny Novgorod region, artificial intelligence has been deployed within Russia’s “Digital Forest” platform, a nationwide system for monitoring forests. The technology leverages images from low-orbit satellites, which are processed by computer vision algorithms to detect anomalies when compared to baseline imagery.

By integrating AI, the speed of forest monitoring has dramatically increased. The system can now track wildfires, windthrows, plant die-off, and other irregularities in near real time, according to broadcaster Volga 24. Tasks are automatically distributed among local forestry districts, with the platform providing detailed cartographic data that shows boundaries and the scale of damage.

Experts praised the new tool as a breakthrough for forest protection, particularly in the Nizhny Novgorod region, where forests span over 4 million hectares. A recent case in the Borsky district showcased the system’s effectiveness: AI quickly identified an area where storm winds had knocked down about 50 trees, pinpointed the exact coordinates, and enabled forestry officials to respond immediately.