MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – Russia is set to introduce at least 12,000 autonomous delivery robots over the upcoming three years as part of a nationwide pilot scheme. This initiative establishes a legal foundation for testing robotic couriers, also called rovers, in regular transportation and logistics activities. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development developed the regulatory framework, which Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin officially approved through a government decree. The trial incorporates specific objectives concerning the deployment of robots, distances traveled, numbers of deliveries completed, and adherence to operational guidelines.
Within the scope of the project, authorities define a delivery robot as an autonomous vehicle controlled via an automated system, designed to transport goods. These robots are permitted to operate on cycle paths, pedestrian walkways, pavements, and nearby zones, including residential areas. They may also utilize designated cycling and pedestrian zones under the trial’s regulations. The legal framework authorizes operators to deploy these machines across participating regions while authorities gather data related to safety and efficiency.
Over the course of the three-year period, the programme aims to see at least 12,000 robots actively operating, covering a total distance of 10.8 million kilometers. The operators are also expected to complete a minimum of 10.8 million deliveries during this timeframe. The authorities will evaluate the initiative based on metrics such as total mileage, active robot count, delivery volume, and incidents involving traffic violations. The experiment will extend to 34 regions of the Russian Federation, including the Sirius Federal Territory.
Nationwide delivery robot trial establishes operational benchmarks
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 over 20 million kilometers since 2023. These vehicles have operated along major federal routes including 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 their mileage tracked through the ERA-GLONASS platform, a state information system.
Additionally, Russian authorities have been working on comprehensive regulations for highly automated vehicles on public roads. In January, the Transport Ministry released a draft law aimed at establishing uniform standards for autonomous vehicles. This proposal covers the rights and responsibilities of participants and the transition from experimental testing to formal legal regulation. Furthermore, in May, the government approved a development plan for highly automated freight transport extending through 2035, according to the Transport Ministry.
Expansion of autonomous logistics within Russia’s transportation sector
Delivery robots are now integral to Russia’s broader autonomous transportation strategy. Earlier in 2026, the Transport Ministry stated that Yandex aimed to deploy 5,000 delivery robots by the end of the year and 20,000 by 2027. The ministry also noted that these robotic couriers operated under an experimental legal regime. The new three-year plan sets nationwide targets for the number of robots, total kilometers traveled, and completed deliveries across participating regions.
This delivery robot trial adds a formal regulatory structure to a technology already in use in parts of Russia. The set targets provide clear benchmarks for measuring deployment success and compliance during the programme. Regulators will monitor how many robots come into service, their traveled distances, the volume of completed deliveries, and incidents linked to traffic violations. The initiative creates a standardized testing framework for autonomous last-mile delivery across 34 regions and the Sirius Federal Territory.