MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – Russia is set to conduct a three-year trial involving a minimum of 12,000 autonomous delivery robots across numerous regions. This initiative aims to establish a unified legal framework for robotic couriers that deliver goods through streets, residential neighborhoods, and pedestrian zones. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development has developed the legal structure for this testing phase. The government, led by Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin, approved the decree that formalizes the programme. Throughout the trial, authorities will monitor deployment numbers, delivery volume, distance traveled, and adherence to operational standards.
The scheme defines delivery robots as autonomous devices utilizing automated control systems for transportation and logistics services. According to the framework, these robots may operate on pavements, footpaths, and cycle lanes in accordance with approved regulations. They are permitted to function within residential areas, adjacent zones, and other designated pedestrian or cycling zones. The legal setup offers a controlled environment for companies to operate robotic couriers while authorities collect relevant operational data. The trial will span 34 Russian regions and the Sirius Federal Territory.
Specific numerical objectives have been set for this three-year period. Operators involved in the project are required to deploy at least 12,000 delivery robots. The collective distance covered by these robots is expected to reach at least 10.8 million kilometers, with 10.8 million orders fulfilled. Regulators will assess metrics such as the number of active robots, total mileage, and completed deliveries. They will also keep track of any road incidents related to violations of the programme’s rules. These benchmarks are designed to create a standardized system for evaluating autonomous delivery activities across the participating regions.
National Pilot Establishes Clear Goals for Robot-Based Deliveries
This delivery initiative coincides with Russia’s efforts to expand autonomous vehicle operations throughout its transportation infrastructure. Over 120 self-driving freight trucks have already traversed major federal highways, logging millions of kilometers. Such routes include the M-11 Neva, M-4 Don, Central Ring Road, and M-12 Vostok. The Transport Ministry uses the ERA-GLONASS state information platform to gather data from these autonomous freight vehicles. Companies like Yandex, Navio, and Kamaz have been involved in the freight projects.
Russia has also worked on comprehensive legislation to regulate highly automated road transport. Earlier in 2026, authorities issued draft federal rules governing autonomous vehicle operations on public roads. This framework clarifies responsibilities for firms, drivers, and other stakeholders involved in automated transportation. Additionally, a separate plan for highly automated freight transport is projected to extend through 2035. These initiatives operate alongside experimental legal regimes that permit autonomous systems to operate under specific conditions prior to broader regulatory adoption.
Robotic Couriers Integrate into Broader Transport Automation Efforts
Robotic couriers are already functioning in certain parts of Russia under existing experimental regulations. Announced earlier in 2026, plans called for thousands more delivery robots to be added as operators look to expand their fleets. The recent three-year initiative establishes a comprehensive framework with explicit national objectives for deployment, travel distances, and order completions. It also provides regulators with a uniform set of indicators to monitor autonomous delivery performance across different regions and environments.
The programme situates last-mile delivery within Russia’s wider system for testing automated transportation technology. Authorities will analyze operational data to determine the number of robots deployed, usage patterns, total deliveries, kilometers traveled, and incidents associated with rule breaches. The trial encompasses both large-scale deployment and daily operations under a consistent regulatory approach. By the conclusion of the programme, participating robots are scheduled to have completed millions of deliveries throughout Russia’s designated testing zones.