How Digital Tech Is Reshaping Last-Mile Logistics and Urban Mobility in Russia

From parcel pickup points to carsharing, smart logistics is redefining everyday convenience

Russia is undergoing a quiet logistics revolution, powered by digital transformation. While headlines often focus on geopolitical developments, what’s happening on the ground tells a different story: a rapid modernization of how goods and people move through cities and across the country. From last-mile delivery innovations to urban carsharing, technology is streamlining services and expanding access — even to remote regions.

Parcel Pickup Points: Expanding Reach Through Platform Partnerships

The growth of e-commerce in Russia is closely tied to the rise of parcel pickup points — physical locations where customers can collect online orders. Marketplaces like Ozon and Wildberries have been aggressive in building out this infrastructure. In 2024 alone, Ozon added over 4,500 new pickup points in smaller towns and rural areas. Wildberries, meanwhile, is leveraging Russia’s national postal service to roll out 10,000 new pickup spots by the end of 2025.

One key trend driving this expansion: strategic partnerships between logistics operators and marketplaces. By combining forces — for example, through shared pickup locations jointly operated by Ozon and the delivery provider CDEK — companies have cut real estate costs and optimized floor space. The result is a more cost-effective and scalable last-mile network.

Carsharing: Economic, Ecological — and Entering Maturity

In Russia’s major metro areas, carsharing has gone mainstream. Companies like Delimobil and Citydrive are not just surviving — they’re starting to turn profits. In 2024, Citydrive reported its first year of profitability, signaling the model’s operational maturity and consumer acceptance. Today, the number of shared vehicles in cities like Moscow and St. Petersburg exceeds the number of newly purchased private cars.

Beyond the bottom line, carsharing has become a tool for reducing traffic and emissions. Estimates suggest that each shared vehicle replaces between 5 to 15 privately owned cars. This not only eases congestion and parking demand but also contributes to improved urban air quality — a growing concern for city planners worldwide.

The Digital Backbone: AI, Big Data, and Homegrown Software

Behind these trends is a robust IT infrastructure. Route optimization algorithms, fleet management systems, real-time GPS tracking, and warehouse automation are now standard across many logistics operations. Companies use big data to forecast demand, machine learning to optimize traffic flows, and digital dashboards to track inventory movements in real time.

One unique challenge in Russia’s logistics transformation has been reducing dependence on foreign-made software. Western sanctions have accelerated the transition to domestic tech solutions. Companies like “Digital Logistics,” a subsidiary of Russian Railways (RZD), are developing locally-built platforms that offer viable alternatives — a strategic move toward IT sovereignty.

Measurable Gains for Businesses and Consumers

According to Russia’s national statistics agency, digital logistics initiatives have cut operational costs by 12–18%. For small and midsize businesses, that’s a major savings. For consumers, the upside is convenience: faster deliveries, smarter mobility options, and less friction in daily life. Even the government has a stake in this modernization — better logistics infrastructure translates to higher quality of life and more resilient economic systems.

A Strategic Shift, Not a Passing Trend

What’s happening in Russia’s logistics space isn’t just a tech upgrade — it’s a deliberate shift toward digital resilience and independence. Continued investment, cross-sector collaboration, and a focus on domestic innovation are laying the groundwork for a more agile and inclusive supply chain ecosystem.

For global supply chain leaders, Russia’s experience offers a case study in how digital infrastructure — even under constraints — can enable large-scale transformation and redefine what’s possible at the edge of the network.