Did the Ukraine war spark China’s quiet ban on most civilian drone flights in cities?

For years, aerial drones frequently buzzed above the Huangpu River in Shanghai, capturing breathtaking views of one of China’s most iconic central business districts and the lights of thousands of homes. But the spectacular aerial photos that once defined one of the world’s largest commercial drone markets have now been heavily restricted along this picturesque stretch of the river, reflecting a nationwide tightening of rules on civilian drone use. Security concerns magnified by Ukraine’s…