MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – In Russia, a new three-year initiative aims to introduce a minimum of 12,000 autonomous delivery robots through a nationwide pilot project. This program establishes a legal basis for testing robotic couriers, also referred to as rovers, within everyday transportation and logistics frameworks. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development formulated the legal structure, and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin authorized the government decree. The trial includes specific benchmarks related to robot deployment, total distance traveled, number of deliveries completed, and adherence to operational guidelines.
During the program, authorities specify that a delivery robot is an autonomous vehicle equipped with an automated control system to transport goods. These robots are permitted to operate on cycle paths, footpaths, pavements, as well as in nearby zones and residential areas. They may also utilize designated cycling and pedestrian zones as part of the trial regulations. The legal framework allows operators to run these machines across participating regions while regulators gather data concerning their performance and safety metrics.
The three-year project stipulates that at least 12,000 robots will be operational, collectively covering 10.8 million kilometres. Additionally, operators are required to complete no less than 10.8 million delivery orders within the trial timeframe. The authorities will evaluate the initiative based on metrics such as total mileage, active robot count, delivery volume, and traffic incidents related to rule violations. The pilot will encompass 34 regions of the Russian Federation, including the Sirius Federal Territory.
Nationwide Delivery Robot Initiative Sets Operational Goals
Russia has extended its autonomous transportation activities beyond small delivery robots. The Transport Ministry announced in August that 121 autonomous trucks had traveled over 20 million kilometres since 2023. These vehicles have operated on major federal roads, including the M-11 Neva, M-4 Don, Central Ring Road, and M-12 Vostok. The ministry reported that trucks from Yandex, Navio, and Kamaz participated, with mileage tracked via the ERA-GLONASS state information platform.
Russian officials are also working on comprehensive regulations for highly automated road vehicles. In January, the Transport Ministry issued a draft federal law to establish uniform standards for autonomous vehicles operating on public roads. The proposal outlines the rights and responsibilities of participants and the transition from experimental operations 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 Russian Transportation
Delivery robots are already integrated into Russia’s broader autonomous transportation strategy. Earlier in 2026, the Transport Ministry indicated that Yandex planned to deploy 5,000 delivery robots by the end of that year and increase to 20,000 by 2027. The ministry also noted that robot couriers were operating under an experimental legal regime. The newly launched three-year program sets specific targets for robot quantity, total kilometres covered, and completed deliveries across the participating regions.
This delivery robot trial introduces a formal regulatory framework to a technology already in use in various parts of Russia. Its clearly defined targets give authorities concrete figures to gauge deployment success and compliance over the course of three years. Regulators will monitor metrics such as the number of operational units, travelled distances, delivery volume, and traffic incidents related to violations. The program creates a unified testing environment for autonomous last-mile delivery across 34 regions and the Sirius Federal Territory.