Young Russians Compete in Drone Programming Championship
The national finals in Perm bring together top teams creating autonomous aerial systems on domestic software.
In Perm, Russia has launched the final stage of its first-ever National Drone Programming Championship, where 20 finalists from 12 regions are competing to become the country’s best drone developers. The event marks a milestone in what organizers call a new kind of technological sport—one that merges programming, engineering, and competition.
Earlier qualifying rounds drew 94 participants from 27 regions, with finalists now facing off in two age categories: adults and juniors. All coding takes place on a domestic drone engineering simulator developed by Geoscan, a leading Russian UAV manufacturer.
From Sport to Real-World Technology
Alongside the main contests, the event features an innovation exhibition with partners including the Emergency Situations Ministry’s regional branch and the engine manufacturer Motornoye. The program also includes a panel discussion titled “Autonomous UAVs: From Sport to the Real Economy,” followed by visualized final battles, where the competitors’ code is displayed live on big screens.
The championship is part of a broader effort to promote innovation-driven sports in Russia and nurture young engineering talent. By turning drone programming into a competitive, spectator-friendly discipline, organizers hope to inspire the next generation of developers driving the country’s digital and aerospace industries forward.
