MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – Over the next three years, Russia intends to roll out at least 12,000 autonomous delivery robots as part of a comprehensive national pilot program. This initiative aims to establish a legal framework that facilitates the testing of robotic couriers, also known as rovers, within regular transport and logistics services. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development crafted this framework, which was officially signed into law by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The trial sets clear objectives related to robot deployment, total travel distance, number of successful deliveries, and adherence to operational regulations.
Within the scope of the programme, authorities define a delivery robot as an autonomous vehicle that employs an automated control system to transport goods. These robots are permitted to operate on cycle paths, footpaths, pavements, and in adjoining residential zones, as well as utilize designated cycling and pedestrian zones during the trial. The framework permits operators to run these machines across participating regions while regulators gather data concerning their safety and performance.
The three-year plan anticipates at least 12,000 robots entering service, collectively covering 10.8 million kilometres. Operators are also expected to complete a minimum of 10.8 million delivery orders within this period. The programme’s progress will be evaluated based on total mileage, active robot counts, completed deliveries, and traffic accidents linked to rule violations. The initiative will include 34 regions of the Russian Federation along with the Sirius Federal Territory.
Nationwide Delivery Robot Programme Sets Clear Performance Goals
Russia has already broadened the scope of autonomous transportation beyond small delivery robots. In August, the Transport Ministry announced that 121 autonomous trucks had traveled more than 20 million kilometres since 2023. These vehicles have operated on key federal highways, 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 their mileage tracked via the ERA-GLONASS government data platform.
Additionally, Russian authorities are working on more comprehensive regulations for highly automated vehicles on public roads. In January, the Transport Ministry issued a draft federal law intended to establish standard requirements for autonomous vehicles. This proposal addresses rights and responsibilities of participants and details the shift from experimental operations to formal regulation. Furthermore, in May, the government approved a development plan for highly automated freight transport extending through 2035, as stated by the Transport Ministry.
Autonomous Logistics Expanding Throughout Russia’s Transport Sector
Delivery robots are already integrated into Russia’s broader autonomous transport development. Earlier in 2026, the Transport Ministry indicated that Yandex planned to deploy 5,000 delivery robots by the end of the year and reach 20,000 by 2027. The ministry also highlighted that these robot couriers were operating under an experimental legal regime. The newly announced three-year initiative sets nationwide benchmarks for the number of robots, total kilometres traveled, and number of completed deliveries across participating areas.
This delivery robot trial formalizes a regulatory structure for a technology already in use across parts of Russia. Its established targets provide authorities with specific figures to measure deployment and compliance over the three-year span. Regulators will monitor the entry of new machines, their travel distances, completed deliveries, and traffic incidents related to violations. The programme creates a unified testing framework for autonomous last-mile delivery in 34 regions and the Sirius Federal Territory.