MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – Over the next three years, Russia aims to introduce a minimum of 12,000 autonomous delivery robots through a national pilot program. This initiative establishes a legal foundation for testing robotic couriers, also known as rovers, within daily transportation and logistics. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development drafted the framework, which was subsequently signed into law by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The trial outlines clear objectives for robot deployment, travel distances, delivery volume, and adherence to operational standards.
Within this program, authorities define a delivery robot as an autonomous vehicle that uses an automated control system to transport goods. These robots are permitted to operate on cycle paths, footpaths, pavements, as well as adjacent zones and residential neighborhoods. They may also utilize designated cycling and pedestrian zones during the trial, following specific rules. The framework allows operators to run these machines across various participating regions while regulators gather data on their performance and safety.
The three-year plan requires at least 12,000 robots to be in service, collectively covering 10.8 million kilometers. Operators are also expected to fulfill a minimum of 10.8 million delivery orders during the trial. Progress will be evaluated based on total mileage, active robot counts, completed deliveries, and traffic accidents involving violations. The program will encompass 34 regions of the Russian Federation along with the Sirius Federal Territory.
National Goals for Robot Delivery Operations Established in Pilot Program
Russia has already extended the scope of autonomous transportation beyond small delivery robots. The Transport Ministry reported in August that 121 autonomous trucks had traveled over 20 million kilometers since 2023. These vehicles operated on major federal roads such as the M-11 Neva, M-4 Don, Central Ring Road, and M-12 Vostok. The ministry confirmed that trucks from Yandex, Navio, and Kamaz participated, with mileage tracked through the ERA-GLONASS state information platform.
Russia’s authorities are also advancing regulations for highly automated road vehicles. In January, the Transport Ministry released a draft federal law to establish uniform standards for autonomous vehicles on public roads. This proposal covers rights and responsibilities of participants and the transition from experimental to formal regulation. In May, the government approved a development plan for highly automated freight transportation through 2035, according to the Transport Ministry.
Expansion of Autonomous Logistics in Russia’s Transport Sector
Delivery robots are already integrated into Russia’s broader autonomous transportation efforts. Earlier in 2026, the Transport Ministry stated that Yandex planned to deploy 5,000 delivery robots by the end of the year and increase that number to 20,000 by 2027. The ministry also noted that robot couriers operate under an experimental legal framework. The new three-year initiative sets specific nationwide goals for robot quantities, total kilometers traveled, and orders completed across the involved regions.
This robot delivery trial introduces a formal regulatory structure for a technology already in use in parts of Russia. Its targets offer authorities clear benchmarks for measuring deployment and compliance during the three-year span. Regulators will monitor how many robots are operational, the distance they cover, the number of successful deliveries, and traffic incidents related to violations. The program provides a standardized testing environment for autonomous last-mile delivery across 34 regions and the Sirius Federal Territory.”}**/