MOSCOW / RankWire.AI / – In Russia, a three-year initiative will see the deployment of at least 12,000 autonomous delivery robots across numerous regions, starting in 2026. The project establishes a set of national regulations for robotic couriers responsible for transporting goods through urban streets, residential neighborhoods, and pedestrian zones. Russia’s Ministry of Economic Development developed the legal framework to oversee this trial. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin authorized the government decree that formalized the program. Throughout the testing period, authorities will monitor deployment metrics, delivery volumes, total distance traveled, and adherence to operational standards.
The trial describes delivery robots as autonomous systems that utilize automated control mechanisms to facilitate logistics and delivery services. These devices are permitted to operate on pavements, footpaths, and cycling lanes following approved guidelines. They can also function within residential zones, adjacent territories, and other designated pedestrian or cycling areas. This regulatory framework offers companies a controlled environment for deploying robotic couriers while enabling authorities to gather data on their operations. The experiment will span 34 Russian regions, including the Sirius Federal Territory.
Several numerical goals have been established for this three-year period. Participants must introduce a minimum of 12,000 delivery robots into service. Collectively, these machines are expected to cover no less than 10.8 million kilometers and fulfill 10.8 million orders. Regulators will assess the number of active robots, overall mileage, and the volume of completed deliveries. They will also track incidents on the road related to violations of the program’s requirements. These benchmarks aim to provide a standardized system for evaluating autonomous delivery operations across the participating territories.
Clear Objectives for Robot Deliveries Set in National Trial
The rollout of autonomous delivery robots coincides with Russia’s broader efforts to expand automated vehicle use within its transportation network. Over 120 self-driving freight trucks have already operated on key federal highways, covering millions of kilometers. These routes include the M-11 Neva, M-4 Don, Central Ring Road, and M-12 Vostok. The Transport Ministry has been utilizing the ERA-GLONASS platform to compile data from these autonomous trucks. Companies such as Yandex, Navio, and Kamaz have developed some of the vehicles involved in this freight program.
Russia has also been working on comprehensive legislation for highly automated road transportation. Earlier in 2026, draft federal rules addressing autonomous vehicles on public roads were published, outlining the responsibilities of companies, vehicle operators, and other stakeholders. A separate concept for highly automated freight transportation is planned to extend through 2035. These initiatives run parallel to experimental legal regimes that permit autonomous systems to operate under specified conditions before new regulatory standards are established.
Robotic couriers are part of a larger autonomous transport development plan
Existing experimental rules already allow robotic couriers to operate in certain regions of Russia. Earlier in 2026, plans were announced to add thousands more delivery robots as operators expand their fleets. The current three-year program introduces a comprehensive framework with specific national targets for deployment, travel distance, and order fulfillment. It also provides regulators with a consistent set of indicators to evaluate how autonomous delivery robots perform across different regions and operational environments.
This initiative integrates last-mile delivery into Russia’s broader testing system for automated transportation technologies. Authorities will analyze operational data to determine how many robots are deployed and how intensively they are used. Delivery figures, total kilometers traveled, and incidents related to rule breaches will be closely monitored. The trial encompasses both large-scale deployment and daily operations under a unified regulatory approach. By the conclusion of the project, participating robots are expected to have completed millions of deliveries within Russia’s designated testing zones.