MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – Over the next three years, Russia intends to introduce at least 12,000 autonomous delivery robots as part of a nationwide pilot program. This initiative establishes a legal framework enabling the testing of robotic couriers, commonly called rovers, within daily logistics and transportation operations. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development designed the framework, which was signed into effect by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The pilot sets clear, quantifiable goals regarding the deployment of robots, their total travel distance, the number of deliveries completed, and adherence to operational regulations.
Within this program, a delivery robot is characterized by its autonomous vehicle status, employing an automated system to transport goods. These robots are permitted to operate on cycle paths, footpaths, pavements, as well as adjoining zones and residential areas, including designated cycling and pedestrian zones under the trial guidelines. The framework permits operators to deploy the machines in participating regions while authorities gather data related to their performance and safety.
The three-year initiative requires at least 12,000 robots to be operational, collectively covering a distance of 10.8 million kilometres. During this period, operators must also fulfill a minimum of 10.8 million delivery orders. The authorities will evaluate the success of the project based on metrics such as total mileage, active robot count, completed deliveries, and traffic incidents linked to rule violations. The trial will span 34 regions of the Russian Federation in addition to the Sirius Federal Territory.
Nationwide Goals Set for Robot Delivery Operations
Russia has extended autonomous transportation initiatives beyond small delivery robots. In August, the Transport Ministry reported that 121 autonomous trucks had covered over 20 million kilometres since 2023. These vehicles operated mainly on key federal highways, including the M-11 Neva, M-4 Don, Central Ring Road, and M-12 Vostok. Trucks from companies such as Yandex, Navio, and Kamaz participated, with mileage data recorded via the ERA-GLONASS state information system.
The Russian government has also been crafting comprehensive regulations for highly automated vehicles. In January, the Transport Ministry issued a draft federal law aimed at establishing unified standards for autonomous vehicles on public roads. The draft addresses the rights and responsibilities of participants and outlines the transition from experimental to formal regulatory frameworks. According to the Transport Ministry, in May, the government approved a plan for the development of highly automated freight transport through 2035.
Autonomous Transport Solutions Broaden in Russia
Delivery robots are now a component of Russia’s larger autonomous transport strategy. The Transport Ministry announced earlier in 2026 that Yandex aimed to have 5,000 delivery robots operational by the end of the year and 20,000 by 2027. The ministry noted that these robots currently operate under an experimental legal regime. The newly launched three-year plan sets specific targets for the number of robots, total distance travelled, and completed orders nationwide across the involved regions.
This delivery robot trial introduces a formal regulatory framework for a technology already in use in parts of Russia. The targets outlined in the plan provide authorities with precise benchmarks for measuring deployment and compliance during the three-year span. Regulatory bodies will monitor the number of active machines, travel distances, delivery volumes, and traffic incidents resulting from violations. The program offers a standardized testing environment for autonomous last-mile delivery services across 34 regions and the Sirius Federal Territory.