MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – Russia plans to roll out a minimum of 12,000 autonomous delivery robots within the next three years as part of a national pilot program. The initiative establishes a legal structure for testing robotic couriers, also called rovers, in routine transportation and logistics activities. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development created this framework, and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin approved the government order. The trial includes specific benchmarks for robot deployment, total distance traveled, number of completed deliveries, and adherence to operational regulations.
According to the programme, a delivery robot is characterized by an autonomous vehicle that employs an automated control system for transporting goods. These robots may operate on cycle paths, pedestrian walkways, pavements, as well as adjacent and residential zones. They are also permitted to use designated cycling and pedestrian areas during the trial. The framework allows operators to deploy these devices across participating regions, while regulators gather data on safety and performance.
Over the course of three years, the initiative aims to introduce at least 12,000 robots that will collectively travel 10.8 million kilometres. Additionally, operators are expected to complete a minimum of 10.8 million delivery orders during this period. The authorities will evaluate the success of the programme based on metrics such as total mileage, active robots, fulfilled deliveries, and traffic incidents related to rule breaches. The trial encompasses 34 regions of the Russian Federation along with the Sirius Federal Territory.
National Targets Established for Robot Delivery Operations
Russia has expanded its autonomous transportation efforts beyond small delivery robots. The Transport Ministry reported in August that 121 autonomous trucks had covered more than 20 million kilometres since 2023. These vehicles have been operating on major federal highways, including the M-11 Neva, M-4 Don, Central Ring Road, and M-12 Vostok. Trucks from Yandex, Navio, and Kamaz participated, with mileage data recorded via the ERA-GLONASS state information platform.
The Russian government is also working on comprehensive regulations for highly automated vehicles. In January, the Transport Ministry introduced a draft federal law aimed at establishing uniform standards for autonomous vehicles on public roads. This proposal addresses participant rights and responsibilities and the transition from experimental trials to official regulations. In May, the government endorsed a development plan for highly automated freight transportation through 2035, according to the Transport Ministry.
Autonomous Delivery Systems Grow Within Russia’s Transportation Sector
Delivery robots are now part of Russia’s broader autonomous transportation strategy. Earlier in 2026, the Transport Ministry announced that Yandex intended to deploy 5,000 delivery robots by the end of the year and increase to 20,000 by 2027. The ministry highlighted that robot couriers currently operate under an experimental legal framework. The new three-year initiative sets nationwide goals for robot numbers, total kilometres traveled, and deliveries completed across the involved regions.
The robot delivery trial introduces a formal regulatory system to a technology already in use in various parts of Russia. The set targets provide authorities with clear figures for tracking deployment and compliance over the three-year period. Regulators will monitor the number of operational machines, their travel distances, completed deliveries, and traffic accidents involving violations. This programme creates a standardized testing environment for autonomous last-mile delivery across 34 regions and the Sirius Federal Territory.