MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – Russia plans to introduce a minimum of 12,000 autonomous delivery robots within the next three years through a national pilot program. This initiative establishes a legal framework aimed at testing robotic couriers, also called rovers, in everyday transportation and logistics operations. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development created the guidelines, and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin authorized the government decree. The trial sets specific goals for robot deployment, travel distances, delivery completion, and adherence to operational regulations.
As part of the program, authorities describe a delivery robot as an autonomous vehicle that uses an automated system to transport goods. These robots may operate on cycle paths, sidewalks, pavements, as well as nearby areas and residential zones. They are permitted to use designated cycling and pedestrian zones during the trial. The framework allows operators to run these machines in participating regions while regulators monitor their performance and safety data.
The three-year plan mandates at least 12,000 robots to be active, covering a total of 10.8 million kilometres. During the trial, operators are expected to complete at least 10.8 million deliveries. Success will be measured based on distance covered, active robot count, delivered orders, and traffic incidents resulting from rule violations. The project will span 34 regions of the Russian Federation, including the Sirius Federal Territory.
National goals outlined for robot delivery operations
Russia has already increased its use of autonomous transport beyond small delivery robots. In August, the Transport Ministry announced that 121 autonomous trucks had traveled over 20 million kilometres since 2023. These vehicles have operated on key federal roads including the M-11 Neva, M-4 Don, Central Ring Road, and M-12 Vostok. The ministry said trucks from Yandex, Navio, and Kamaz participated, with mileage tracked through the ERA-GLONASS platform.
Russian regulators are also working on broader rules 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 proposal covers participant rights, responsibilities, and the shift from experimental to formal regulation. In May, the government approved a development plan for highly automated freight transport through 2035, according to the Transport Ministry.
Autonomous logistics initiatives extend across Russia’s transport sector
Delivery robots are now part of Russia’s wider autonomous transportation strategy. Earlier in 2026, the Transport Ministry reported that Yandex planned to deploy 5,000 delivery robots by year’s end and 20,000 by 2027. These robots operate under an experimental legal framework. The new three-year program sets nationwide targets for robot numbers, travel distances, and completed deliveries in participating areas.
The pilot program formalizes a technology already in use in some parts of Russia. Its targets provide clear benchmarks for measuring deployment and compliance over the next three years. Authorities will monitor how many robots are active, how far they travel, the number of completed orders, and incidents linked to rule violations. This initiative creates a standardized testing environment for autonomous last-mile delivery across 34 regions and the Sirius Federal Territory.