I would like to think I'm one of the more responsible drone pilots that tends to be seen running around various locations. Where I fly is often predetermined with a few hours of research on Google Maps as to avoid both densely populated areas and ensure I'm not flying near or over anything military and government. To add, wherever I do fly, I ensure I take off and land in areas that are essentially empty, where it is just me and nobody else is around to get bothered by it. This can mean I'll find a spot that's generally isolated with one or two people roaming around, but there's enough space between us that nothing should be of concern regarding my presence, and I'm always happy to look friendly as I'm quick to shoot what I want and get out of the location shortly after. No sticking around. Where others throw up their drones without a care in the world, I'm not so lucky as to avoid the potential angry local. Never before have I encountered a person that actually did have a problem with me flying my drone, as well. Through all the countries I have been flying it in, anyone that does notice it either finds it interesting or simply doesn't care to even pay attention to it or me. A few years of experience has led to me building this manner of piloting the drone, finding the right locations and keeping people's general personal boundaries into consideration.
While the situation around this part of the world can be a bit paranoid; Armenia is constantly facing the threat of Turkey and Azerbaijan working together to destabilise and ensure Armenia concedes its land for their gain through economic and physical warfare, flying drones around Armenia isn't really something one should face the fear of doing. Common sense is of course to be utilised like I mentioned before: avoid the densely populated areas, military locations, or the regions entirely in which these events are taking place. I exercised additional precautions by ensuring I went to the end of a settlement where it was empty, a few unfinished homes throughout, the odd stray dog and car may drive through every now and then. Across the street is a newer highway that bridges the city to other villages and towns nearby. And from there it's essentially just the wide open rocky landscape that is found within the southern areas of Armenia. A pretty perfect spot for flying the drone, one might assume. Well, I flew the drone for a few minutes, using up about half of one battery just taking a few shots and videos. I landed the drone, packed it up, and went on my way to go and buy some bread. Down the road I said hello to two locals that stood outside of their place.
I walked through the street of the town that I had missed from last year. I was curious as to whether it had changed much, to which I was surprised at how little it had. The park was the same, I walked through that and saw how children played football there. An Olympic swimming pool was still standing there, though the drinking fountain wasn't operating for some reason where it once was. Kind of disappointed I couldn't catch a little sip of water before continuing. A few new things had appeared in the form of a new school for children by the side of the road, which itself was dug up from a failed construction site that clearly was being funded through some corruption. Still in the exact same state it was in eight months ago when I was last there. Not a single development. To the left was a garage, and I had to cross the road by the side of it. And so I did. To my surprise a large factory appeared from the Soviet Union. This instantly caught my attention due to the Soviet hammer and sickle symbol which still remained, albeit now quite rusty. The text, in Russian glorifying the worker. I would've loved to have gone inside the zone and roamed around, but there was no actual entrance as things had been locked up for years. I didn't try my luck to get inside. Though a rogue kitten had taken a liking to me.
I stood there and took some photographs of the factory's opening. Petting the kitten and enjoying the time. A car pulled up and used the entrance as a parking spot. A few moments later another car turned up and parked right in front of me, I gestured to it to stop advancing as it was close to hitting both me and the kitten of which I'm not sure they saw. This car looked ordinary. Two police officers exited which I thought was odd, still not assuming they were there for me until they walked forwards and tried to talk to me. My Armenian and Russian skills are incredibly thin, so I informed them I didn't speak either languages, and began to use my phone to type in some questions and answers, as did they. Shortly after, in broken English I received the following question: "You fly drone?" I answered with a truthful "Yes."
I then wrote into Yandex Translate, into Russian thinking it would be more accurate, that I had no idea it wasn't actually allowed, as from all the research I had done, I in fact was totally fine. The airport was miles away, and there were no military bases nearby, government buildings, and the likes. Though this thought suddenly ran through my head. What if I had missed something? I was certain I hadn't. I'm never that sloppy. I'd never put myself or others in such risk, especially here with the tough climate as it is. They asked to see my passport and I explained I didn't have it on me. I also tried to continuously explain that the place I was staying at was quite literally within walking distance and I could go and get it. But they insisted I got into the car with them and we would go to the police station to verify my identity. The car ride was probably the most stressful of the whole situation; attempting to tell them that my passport was nearby as we then drove by the road. They weren't really cooperating at this point, not in any aggressive manner but generally a bit dismissive. I wasn't under arrest, and they didn't confiscate any of my belongings. I was able to make a call and text during this ride, and even back in the police station where I was told to sit and wait.
The police station was incredibly Soviet. The entire layout felt old and stuck within the past. The police would smoke inside, and the seating area consisted of three ancient chairs that were insanely uncomfortable. One police offer, like something out of a western film, would stand near the entrance holding a long hunting rifle with no accessories added to it. Given I was a foreigner, the police would circle around me, each of them trying to find someone that could speak English as well as attempt to speak to me. They kept asking me the same questions: "Where are you from?", "What is your name?". The situation was odd, but still nothing that felt like I was in any actual danger. Some tried to say my name in English and struggled, to which one called me "Anjin" and a female officer corrected him, having perfectly, and rather instantly, managed to say my name. One man holding a tablet asked me to sit still while he took two photographs of my face. My drone still out on the table as I ensured it was visible in the event that someone asked to see what was on it. Somewhat expecting them to ask for my camera, and phone as well. I understand the tensions here, and without proof of identity it made sense that the local law enforcement would want to check everything over.
Eventually family arrived and came to my rescue, speaking Armenian and bringing my passport. We went upstairs to an office, the building still maintaining its old Soviet appearance. Old numbers on the wooden doors and wooden flooring straight from the 70s. A beautiful place stuck in the past! The female officer was lovely, she didn't speak English and they wanted to bring in an official translator to ensure everything was established fairly and there was no twisting of speech. Though this wasn't needed with the support of family. The person that reported me also arrived to handle his side of whatever report he had made. I was curious at this point, given I still had no idea what I had done and who had reported me in the first place. My suspicions remained that it was something far more serious like local military or something. Nope, it was that one fuck I said hello to earlier. He reported me, and not only that: the creep had followed me for at least twenty minutes down the street all the way to the factory before reporting me. I had no idea. Why would I assume so? No attempts to communicate with me. No questions asked and not once did they gesture to me from afar (nor come up to me) to tell me they'd prefer I didn't fly around the area. He claimed I was filming his house, which was untrue.
Words cannot describe the anger I have for this random stranger now. With fears of this appearing on a record of mine in Armenia where I was planning to return to. The possibility of deportation (assuming I actually may have done something). The total lack of communication in which they didn't tell me they were bothered, even as I walked by them after and greeted them kindly, as they also greeted me. To which they proceeded in following me through the streets. I have no problems with Armenia nor the Armenian people as a result of this, I do feel it's something that could've happened anywhere in the world. Such freaks are found in all places, after all. While I couldn't understand the conversations in the office, I did explain that I was aware of military bases, the flight paths, and densely populated areas to which I intentionally avoided by going to the remote area in the first place. I was told I was doing nothing wrong, given permission to fly wherever I want providing the common sense of what was mentioned above is continued. What a total fucking waste of time that all was for us all. All due to one idiotic man with more time than intelligence. Again, I understand the nation's fears in certain regions. This was not one of those regions. Nor was I doing anything remotely suspicious. This town also sees a lot of tourism and foreigners aren't exactly alien to these people. I'm lucky to have had good people to come to my rescue. It would've been far worse had I been alone entirely.
But I genuinely did do nothing wrong and was prepared to prove it in any way I could. And it the end it was established that I did do nothing wrong. Let go after verifying my identity as a general precaution, which I understood. Not remotely bothered by the police nor their handling of the situation. Regular police and people doing their jobs. That one man that reported me, though? Zero respect. The plus side was I got to see the unique interior of a Soviet rural police station. Which even had original Soviet era gun posters on the walls which stated various information about them and their mechanisms. That was incredibly fascinating and I almost wished I could've been given a tour of the rest of the place. Maybe that will happen if I get reported again, I guess. Featured in this post are all of the photographs I took leading up to this entire event.
And lastly, here's the kitten I made brief friends with shortly before the police arrived.
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What a rollercoaster, that's scary! I keep saying for years that I should get myself a drone too, but all these situations make me stay away from this thought, ugh!
Don't let it stop you. I've had mine for maybe four years now and this is the first time I've ever encountered anyone that had a problem with it. Back in England people would just ask about it and move on. Nobody in Georgia has ever mentioned it. And I've flown it several times already in Armenia, even last year.
And if you're in the mountains or forestry then you'll always be fine providing there's no signs saying not to.
It's probably the best purchase I've ever made, a stupid amount of fun that completely changes the way you interact with a space and see the world. This one event could never stop me from pursuing more of that feeling.
Yep, flying it in the mountains or natural locations would probably be my go-to, so perhaps low chances of getting in trouble as you said. Thank you for the encouraging words and I hope you won't ever get into such situations again!
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Scary story. Glad everything turned out okay for you. The police station looks like a set from a period movie.
I really wish I was able to take some photographs in there. I've been in old Soviet buildings throughout Armenia and Georgia, but that was another level. Like it was stuck in the past entirely. Even the air conditioner in the office must've been from the 80s.
As I walked out and caught a glimpse of the room with the gun posters and all the information, I paused for a moment to take a quick second look.
The two were similar to this, but a bit more faded in time.
A lot of stress!
I have been checked by the police taking pictures on the streets in Amsterdam a couple of times. But thats nothing, your story is a bit of horror.
If I didn't know people nearby I do think it would've continued into something far more scary. It's insane how one person with no capabilities to think and interact could get another person into so much potential trouble despite their innocence.
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How many complications there are all over the world!
I'm glad everything went well.
Greetings from Venezuela, @namiks
Oh yeah, me too! The whole time I was sitting in the car and at the station before anyone arrived, I just kept asking myself what I could've possibly shot or done that was so bad. I had these sudden thoughts that maybe nearby military bases picked up the drone on radar or something. The most irrational thoughts that I had done something deeply stupid and serious without knowing.
What a danger! Thank goodness all is well
What a danger! Thank goodness all is well
Ah what a bloody day waste of time, and you obviously are so mindful of the legalities, unlike SOOOOO many drone users who just do what they want, when they want.
That's just the sort of luck I have, haha. There's a drone pilot that posts his adventures on Telegram in Tbilisi. He posts the most central areas of the city. I've seen people in Tbilisi fly the drone over the main bridges there during summer. I would never.
And even last summer in Yerevan I saw so many drones in the city centre. Right above people's heads. I know for a fact if I did that I'd be in the back of a police car within minutes.
Even if I am flying a bit more risky in the sense of being in an area with a few people around, I still make sure I'm not in anyone's way or disturbing them with the drone. I take off and land in an area where nobody else is around, and I always look up locations online in advance to be sure there's nothing around that I really should avoid as well. While the DJI app does show airports and restricted areas, it doesn't show military zones or government buildings that you're best staying well away from.
I do think the police handled things really well. They didn't know English and tried their best to interact with me without coming across aggressive or anything. From calling their relatives that may know English to also preparing to call in an official translator to ensure nothing got lost in translation nor intentionally incorrectly translated. I didn't get a warning, nor a record, nothing. They just checked I was actually from the UK, filed the paperwork and off I went. Even said I can fly the drone wherever providing I do ensure I keep away from the serious stuff; and that they hope the situation didn't change my mind about the nation.
That said, I do think having people nearby that are considered family that could come to my rescue also played a massive part in getting me out of there quickly.
Ah it did seem like bad luck. Despite best efforts it's hard to police drones. We were in a national park recently with an explicit sign that said no drones and we know plenty of YouTubers who have drone footage of that road in their content.
So complicated by the way you seems a person that use much attended with the drone , such a misadventure.
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Oh my God! it's too scary. I'm glad you overcome it.
Oh! sad to hear that happened to you. You did nothing and someone reported you, it was scary!!! You're planning to move back there right?
Yeah I am! It was a situation I think could've taken place anywhere, even back home in England. Too many people fail to talk to each other, and some are far too paranoid for their own good and endlessly spread drama.
It has nothing to do with Armenians or the situation in the nation itself. Even the police said I'm fine with the drone and can fly it. It wasn't even the first time I have flown the drone here too!
I'm still really excited to move back, Georgia certainly isn't as welcoming and beautiful, ironically.
True, it can happen anywhere. It's frustrating, some people let paranoia take control and share false information.
That nice to hear that you are still excited to move back. Take care 😊
I can’t believe how intense that moment was. The fear was so overwhelming, and I’m sure your heart was racing with every passing second. It takes so much courage to face something that daunting, and honestly, I don’t know how you managed to push through. It’s not easy to overcome that kind of fear, but you did it! I’m beyond relieved and proud of you for staying strong and conquering it.