MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – Over the next three years, Russia intends to implement a nationwide pilot program involving at least 12,000 autonomous delivery robots, also known as rovers, in real-world transport and logistics scenarios. This initiative establishes a legal foundation for testing robotic couriers within the country, with the aim of integrating such technology into daily services. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development developed the framework, which was subsequently endorsed through a government decree signed by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin. The program sets clear benchmarks for robot deployment, including travel distances, the number of deliveries completed, and adherence to operational regulations.
Within this framework, authorities define a delivery robot as an autonomous vehicle equipped with an automated control system responsible for transporting goods. These robots are permitted to operate on cycle paths, footpaths, pavements, as well as in adjacent zones and residential areas, and under the trial conditions, they may also utilize designated cycling and pedestrian zones. The legal structure allows operators to deploy these machines across designated regions while regulators gather data related to their performance and safety standards.
This three-year plan aims for a minimum of 12,000 robots to be in operation, collectively covering a distance of 10.8 million kilometres, with operators expected to fulfill at least 10.8 million delivery orders during this period. The authorities will evaluate the success of the initiative based on metrics such as total mileage, active robot count, completed deliveries, and the occurrence of traffic accidents linked to rule violations. The trial will encompass 34 constituent regions of the Russian Federation, in addition to the Sirius Federal Territory.
Robot Delivery Pilot Establishes National Operational Goals
Russia has already expanded its autonomous transportation initiatives beyond small delivery robots. The Transport Ministry reported in August that 121 autonomous trucks had traveled more than 20 million kilometres since 2023, operating on major federal highways like the M-11 Neva, M-4 Don, Central Ring Road, and M-12 Vostok. These vehicles, from manufacturers such as Yandex, Navio, and Kamaz, have their mileage tracked through the ERA-GLONASS government data platform.
Furthermore, Russian authorities are actively working on comprehensive regulations for highly automated vehicles. In January, the Transport Ministry released a draft federal law aiming to set uniform requirements for autonomous vehicles operating on public roads, covering aspects such as the rights and responsibilities of participants and the transition from experimental testing to formal legal regulation. Additionally, in May, the government approved a development concept for highly automated freight transportation through 2035, according to the Transport Ministry.
Autonomous Logistics Progresses Across the Russian Transport Network
Delivery robots are already a component of Russia’s broader autonomous transport strategy. Earlier in 2026, the Transport Ministry indicated 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 noted that these robots operate under an experimental legal regime. The newly established three-year program introduces specific nationwide goals for robot numbers, total kilometres traveled, and delivery orders completed across participating regions.
The trial of delivery robots provides a formal regulatory infrastructure to a technology that is already in use in certain areas of Russia. Its defined targets give authorities concrete figures to monitor deployment and compliance throughout the three-year period. Regulators will track metrics such as the number of machines introduced into service, distances traveled, completed orders, and traffic incidents related to violations. This initiative creates a standardized testing environment for autonomous last-mile delivery across 34 regions plus the Sirius Federal Territory.