MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – Over the next three years, Russia aims to introduce at least 12,000 self-driving delivery robots in a nationwide pilot program. This initiative establishes a legal framework to facilitate testing of robotic couriers, also called rovers, within regular transportation and logistics operations. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development crafted the regulations, and Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin approved the official government order. The trial aims to set clear goals for robot deployment, travel distances, delivery completion rates, and adherence to operational standards.
According to the program, a delivery robot is defined by authorities as an autonomous vehicle that employs an automated control system to transport goods. These robots may operate on cycle paths, sidewalks, pavements, and in adjacent or residential zones. They are permitted to use designated cycling and pedestrian areas during the trial period. The framework allows operators to deploy these machines across participating regions while regulators gather data on safety and performance.
The three-year plan stipulates the deployment of no fewer than 12,000 robots, which are expected to cover a total distance of 10.8 million kilometres. During this period, operators are also required to complete at least 10.8 million delivery orders. Performance will be evaluated based on mileage, active robot count, completed deliveries, and traffic incidents linked to rule violations. The experiment will involve 34 regions of the Russian Federation, including the Sirius Federal Territory.
National Operating Goals Set for Robot Delivery Testing
Russia has already expanded autonomous transport use beyond small delivery robots. The Transport Ministry reported in August that 121 autonomous trucks had traveled over 20 million kilometres since 2023. These vehicles operated on key federal roads, including the M-11 Neva, M-4 Don, Central Ring Road, and M-12 Vostok. The ministry indicated that trucks from Yandex, Navio, and Kamaz participated, with mileage tracked through the ERA-GLONASS platform.
Russian authorities are also working on broader regulations for highly automated road vehicles. In January, the Transport Ministry issued a draft federal law outlining common standards for autonomous vehicles on public roads. The proposal covers participant rights and responsibilities, as well as the transition from experimental operation to official regulation. In May, the government approved a concept for the development of highly automated freight transport through 2035, according to the Transport Ministry.
Autonomous Logistics Extends Across Russian Transportation Sector
Delivery robots are now part of Russia’s larger autonomous transport strategy. Earlier in 2026, the Transport Ministry announced that Yandex planned to have 5,000 delivery robots by the end of the year and 20,000 by 2027. They also noted that robot couriers operated under an experimental legal regime. The new three-year program sets specific national targets for robot deployment, total kilometres traveled, and completed orders across participating areas.
This robot delivery trial adds a formal regulatory structure to a technology already in use in some parts of Russia. The targets provide authorities with concrete figures to monitor deployment and compliance throughout the three-year span. Officials will track how many robots are introduced into service, their travel distances, number of deliveries, and traffic accidents associated with violations. The initiative creates a standardized testing environment for autonomous last-mile delivery across 34 regions and the Sirius Federal Territory.