MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – Over the next three years, Russia aims to introduce a minimum of 12,000 autonomous delivery robots in a national pilot program. This initiative establishes a legal foundation for testing robotic couriers, also known as rovers, within daily transportation and logistics operations. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development crafted the regulatory framework, and it was signed into law by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The trial features clear benchmarks related to the number of robots deployed, travel distances, delivery completions, and adherence to operational guidelines.
Within the scope of this program, authorities define a delivery robot as an autonomous vehicle that utilizes an automated control system to transport goods. These robots are permitted to operate on cycle paths, footpaths, pavements, and adjacent zones, including residential areas. Under the trial regulations, they may also use designated cycling and pedestrian zones. The legal framework allows operators to operate these machines throughout participating regions, with regulators gathering data on safety and performance.
The three-year initiative requires at least 12,000 robots to be operational, collectively covering 10.8 million kilometres. Additionally, operators are expected to complete a minimum of 10.8 million delivery orders during this timeframe. The program’s progress will be evaluated based on mileage, active robot count, total deliveries, and traffic incidents related to rule violations. The trial will encompass 34 regions of the Russian Federation, including the Sirius Federal Territory.
National Delivery Robot Goals Established in Trial
Russia has extended autonomous transportation beyond small delivery bots. In August, the Transport Ministry announced that 121 autonomous trucks had traveled over 20 million kilometres since 2023. These vehicles have operated along major federal routes, such as the M-11 Neva, M-4 Don, Central Ring Road, and M-12 Vostok. The ministry noted that trucks from Yandex, Navio, and Kamaz participated, with mileage data recorded via the ERA-GLONASS state information platform.
Russian authorities have also been working on comprehensive regulations for highly automated road vehicles. In January, the Transport Ministry issued a draft federal law to establish uniform requirements for autonomous vehicles on public roads. The proposed legislation addresses the rights and responsibilities of participants and the transition from experimental testing to formal regulation. In May, the government approved a development strategy for highly automated freight transportation through 2035, according to the Transport Ministry.
Broader Adoption of Autonomous Logistics in Russia’s Transport Sector
Delivery robots are already integrated into Russia’s wider autonomous transportation framework. Earlier in 2026, the Transport Ministry stated that Yandex planned to deploy 5,000 delivery robots by the year’s end and increase that number to 20,000 by 2027. The ministry further explained that these robot couriers are operating under an experimental legal regime. The upcoming three-year plan sets explicit targets for the number of robots, total kilometres traveled, and completed deliveries across the regions involved.
This delivery robot trial introduces a formal regulatory structure to a technology already in use in certain parts of Russia. The specified targets provide authorities with concrete metrics to gauge deployment and compliance during the program’s duration. Monitoring will include the number of active machines, their travel distances, completed orders, and traffic accidents resulting from violations. The initiative offers a standardized testing framework for autonomous last-mile delivery in 34 regions and the Sirius Federal Territory.