Russian airports have announced plans to deploy artificial intelligence-based security systems developed by Ntechlab, a Russian facial recognition company currently designated under U.S. and European Union sanctions. The rollout follows drone attacks on July 5 and 6 that caused significant disruptions at several major Russian airports, leading to an estimated 20 billion rubles (approximately $250 million) in airline losses.
Ntechlab’s system has already been tested at one of Moscow’s four main airports, although the company has not disclosed which location. According to the company, the AI platform analyzes video feeds from airport surveillance cameras in real time, identifying passengers who enter restricted areas such as tarmacs, detecting unauthorized vehicle movements, and monitoring crowd levels in terminal areas.
“Our product has extensive capabilities, with transportation security being one of its core applications,” said Ntechlab CEO Alexei Palamarchuk. “AI can also be used to monitor terminal crowding, which will be especially helpful during rush hours or peak travel seasons.”
Ntechlab previously deployed similar facial recognition systems for Indian Railways and expanded into the Gulf region after opening an Abu Dhabi office in 2021. The company has faced scrutiny over privacy concerns and alleged human rights violations linked to its collaborations with Russian authorities. It was placed on the U.S. Treasury’s Specially Designated Nationals list under Executive Order 14024 on July 9, 2025, and had already been added to the European Union Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime on July 20, 2023. The firm’s founders resigned in 2023 following controversy over its government contracts.
The introduction of the AI system at airports builds on Russia’s broader efforts to expand its biometric surveillance infrastructure. This includes a recent legal requirement mandating biometric scans for foreign nationals seeking mobile SIM cards. Under Law 303-FZ, effective January 1, 2025, foreigners must provide facial and voice biometric data to Russia’s Unified Biometric System when purchasing or re-registering mobile services.
While Ntechlab intends to expand the airport security system to additional regions within Russia, the company has not announced specific timelines or further locations. The new technology will be used to detect breaches of security checkpoints, monitor improperly parked service vehicles, and track unauthorized access in sensitive areas of airport facilities.
The development reflects a global trend toward biometric security in airports, seen in recent implementations at JFK’s Terminal 8 and Minneapolis-Saint Paul International Airport, where facial recognition systems have been introduced to streamline identity verification and security procedures.
Source: The Moscow Times
–
By Ali Nassar-Smith
