MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – In Russia, a three-year plan has been announced to introduce a minimum of 12,000 autonomous delivery robots as part of a nationwide pilot project. This initiative establishes a legal framework for testing robotic couriers, also known as rovers, within everyday transportation and logistics operations. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development designed this framework, which was then approved through a government decree signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The trial aims to set concrete goals for robot deployment, total travel distance, delivery completion rates, and adherence to operational regulations.
Within the scope of the programme, authorities define a delivery robot as an autonomous vehicle equipped with an automated control system to facilitate goods transportation. These robots are permitted to operate on cycle paths, footpaths, pavements, as well as in adjacent and residential zones. They may also utilize designated cycling and pedestrian zones according to trial rules. The legal framework allows operators to deploy these machines throughout participating regions while regulators gather data regarding their performance and safety standards.
The three-year scheme mandates at least 12,000 robots to be active and collectively cover 10.8 million kilometres. The operators are also required to fulfill a minimum of 10.8 million delivery orders during the trial phase. Evaluation of the programme will be based on metrics such as total mileage, number of active robots, completed deliveries, and traffic incidents involving rule violations. The pilot will span 34 regions within the Russian Federation along with the Sirius Federal Territory.
National Delivery Targets Set in Robot Trial
Russia has already extended autonomous transportation efforts beyond small delivery robots. In August, the Transport Ministry reported that 121 autonomous trucks had traveled more than 20 million kilometres since 2023. These vehicles operated on key federal highways, including the M-11 Neva, M-4 Don, Central Ring Road, and M-12 Vostok. The ministry noted the participation of trucks from Yandex, Navio, and Kamaz, with mileage tracked through the ERA-GLONASS state information platform.
Additionally, Russian authorities have been working on broader regulations for highly automated vehicles. In January, the Transport Ministry released a draft federal law aimed at establishing unified requirements for autonomous vehicles on public roads. This proposal covers the rights and obligations of participants and the transition from experimental use to formal legislation. In May, the government approved a development plan for highly automated freight transport through 2035, as per the Transport Ministry.
Broader Adoption of Autonomous Logistics in Russia
Delivery robots are now integrated into Russia’s larger autonomous transport strategy. The Transport Ministry stated earlier in 2026 that Yandex planned to deploy 5,000 delivery robots by the end of the year and increase that number to 20,000 by 2027. The ministry also mentioned that robot couriers were operating under an experimental legal regime. The new three-year programme sets nationwide targets for the number of robots, total kilometres traveled, and orders completed across participating regions.
This delivery robot pilot introduces a formal regulatory structure to a technology already operational in certain parts of Russia. Its predefined targets offer authorities clear benchmarks for deployment and compliance during the three-year span. Regulators will monitor the number of robots introduced, their travel distances, the volume of completed deliveries, and traffic accidents linked to violations. The initiative creates a standardized testing framework for autonomous last-mile delivery in 34 regions and the Sirius Federal Territory.