Feast of technology: Russians banned from launching fireworks in 19 regions
At least 19 Russian regions have officially banned local residents from using pyrotechnics during the New Year holidays, Izvestia estimates. But there are also "undecided" territories, the governors of which only recommended not to launch fireworks. The Russian pyrotechnic Association Rapid Fireworks has sent letters to all such regions, urging them to organize special launch sites there — the organization believes that such a measure will help avoid accidents during chaotic launches. However, experts in the field of fire safety noted that accidents occur due to improper operation of pyrotechnics, which can also happen on a special site.
Which regions have banned fireworks
For several years in a row, the use of pyrotechnics during New Year's holidays and vacations has been prohibited in new regions of Russia, Crimea, Sevastopol, Kursk, Belgorod and Bryansk regions. Residents are only allowed to use firecrackers, sparklers, and "cold fire" fountains.
This year, the ban has already been announced in Kaluga, Tver, Rostov, Volgograd, Penza regions, Kalmykia, Krasnoyarsk Territory, North Ossetia and Chuvashia (Cheboksary and Novocheboksarsk). In the Lipetsk region, the ban has been in place indefinitely since 2023. And in the Kostroma Region, the restrictions introduced last year are valid until January 31, 2025. There is also a ban in the Pskov region, but local authorities still allowed residents to launch fireworks from zero hours on January 1 to ten in the morning on January 2.
In some localities of the Tula and Ryazan regions, as well as Komi, fireworks will not be allowed on holidays. In the Novosibirsk region, this will be prohibited in public places. In Tuva, they announced a ban on mass New Year's Eve events with fireworks. In addition, residents of Smolensk will not be able to use pyrotechnics, but there is no such ban in the region.
The residents of Murmansk have significantly restricted the places of fireworks: it is forbidden to launch fireworks there in cemeteries, historical monuments and religious buildings. A special regime has been introduced in Kazan: fireworks are prohibited when declaring an unmanned danger or threat of a UAV attack.
Some urban districts of the Moscow region have banned the use of pyrotechnics during the holidays, but there are special sites in the region where it can still be done. In the Orel region, from December 15, 2025 to January 12, 2026, a ban on the sale of pyrotechnics was introduced, and fireworks were also canceled there.
The Samara city administration has prepared a draft resolution that will ban the use of fireworks, rockets and festival balloons during the New Year holidays.
The rest of the regions, although they did not officially prohibit residents from using pyrotechnics, nevertheless recommended that they refrain from doing so.
What does the pyrotechnic industry offer?
The Russian pyrotechnic Association Rapid Fireworks has appealed to regions where a strict ban on the use of pyrotechnics has not been introduced, with a proposal to create official sites for launching fireworks.
"New Year's fireworks are an integral part of the mentality of Russians, regardless of their nationality, religion or wealth," the letters say (Izvestia has them). "The Association is concerned about the lack of appropriate official sites for the public to launch pyrotechnic devices of an entertainment nature during the New Year holidays, the use of which does not require special knowledge and equipment, as well as obtaining permits."
They noted that the absence of official sites for the launch of pyrotechnics "has an unambiguously negative effect, increasing the likelihood of abnormal and fire-hazardous situations when pyrotechnics are used in places that do not meet safety standards."
As the association explained to Izvestia, playgrounds are "an effective way to make a holiday civilized, move it from courtyards and balconies to safe areas, prevent fires, injuries and overload of emergency services on New Year's Eve."
In response to the appeals, the authorities of the Yakutsk region promised that residents would be able to launch fireworks near the lakes. In the Kemerovo region, they promised to create sites for launching fireworks and publish addresses on the websites of municipal administrations. The same response was given in the Samara and Tula regions. The Main Directorate of Civil Protection of the Moscow Region said that they are now correcting information about the sites, and then they will inform the population through the media. They said that "in every farming co-op" they are equipping a platform for launching fireworks.
And the administration of the Novosibirsk region reported that "the arrangement and identification of sites for launching pyrotechnic products for household use is not provided for citizens." The State Emergency Committee of Mordovia reported that the region does not require the organization of sites for fireworks, since the use and sale of pyrotechnic devices is regulated by law.
What is the danger of launching firecrackers?
In the regions where the ban has been imposed, there are also restrictions on the sale and use of pyrotechnics, recalled Alexander Starostin, executive director of the Fire Center Group of companies, safety expert.
— But, unfortunately, there are still quite a lot of violations. It's bright in the sky on New Year's Eve," he stated.
According to the expert, even under conditions of restrictions, people buy pyrotechnics from under the floor, it is impossible to track. In addition, someone still has old stocks.
Launching fireworks in the courtyard of an apartment building, on a balcony, roof, or closer than 50 m from buildings, as well as any other violation of fire safety requirements when handling pyrotechnics, is an administrative offense, said Elena Shilina, a lawyer at Yalanzhi and Partners Law firm. Article 20.4 of the Administrative Code of the Russian Federation (Violation of fire safety requirements) assumes a fine for citizens of up to 15 thousand rubles. And in conditions of a special fire protection regime (which is often introduced on holidays, including in Moscow and other major cities), it increases to 20 thousand rubles.
In addition, up to 15 days can be arrested for launching pyrotechnics if it was accompanied by a violation of public order, the lawyer added.
For the sale of pyrotechnics in regions with a ban, citizens face a fine of up to 2 thousand rubles with possible confiscation of the goods, the lawyer said. According to her, fines for violating the rules of handling pyrotechnics are issued annually and in significant numbers.
At the same time, people and property may suffer during improper operation of pyrotechnics. In this case, the culprit will be obliged to compensate for the damage, said Vladimir Sobolev, a lawyer at the Moscow Regional Bar Association. If people are injured, then the responsibility will be criminal.
Do I need ad platforms
The organization of playgrounds is a sound idea, but they cannot be organized in every yard, as they must meet certain requirements, said Alexander Starostin.
— If these sites are located outside of walking distance, residential areas, then no one will pass through them. Everyone will go out, as usual, near their house to set off fireworks in the place where they have been accustomed for many years," he said.
Injuries do not depend on the location, but on the operating conditions of pyrotechnics, the expert added. According to him, if certified pyrotechnic devices are used strictly according to the instructions, the risk of injury is minimal. At the same time, poor-quality pyrotechnics, launching vehicles in strong winds, precipitation, and other operational disruptions lead to accidents.
According to the expert, a special site for launching fireworks should be removed from buildings, there should be nothing nearby that could catch fire, such as reeds or trees. It is useful to place primary fire extinguishing equipment there, says Alexander Starostin. In addition, it would be better if employees of relevant departments would monitor the use of pyrotechnics at least during the hours of maximum activity.
And fire safety expert Vitaly Boyko believes that the organization of special sites for launching fireworks is one of the most effective measures to prevent accidents.
— Their main reason is the launching of pyrotechnics in places not intended for this purpose. It is good when the administration, together with the Ministry of Emergency Situations, organizes such sites. Of course, one thing is missing here: public awareness that such platforms exist," said Vitaly Boyko.
How to set off fireworks correctly
Without a special license, a person can only buy household pyrotechnics of low hazard classes, however, it can also give a great spectacular fireworks display. According to Alexander Starostin, the box should always have instructions in Russian.
— It is necessary to read it in order not to get injured and not to spoil your mood and the visual effect of this product. Large fireworks batteries usually have several wicks. After reading the instructions, you can understand which fuse to light in order to get the necessary scenario plan," said Alexander Starostin.
In addition, the box with the fireworks must be fixed to the surface. To keep it stationary, it can be sprinkled with snow for stability, if there is any.
It is necessary to launch fireworks only in calm weather, when there is no heavy precipitation, said Alexander Starostin. In bad weather, pyrotechnics should not be used, as the charge may encounter an obstacle during the ascent, which will change the trajectory of its movement. There is also an emotional nuance: during a heavy snowfall, the fireworks will be almost invisible.
According to the Ministry of Emergency Situations, 109 fires occurred in 2024 due to pyrotechnics: three people were killed and 20 injured.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
