Russian Regions Turn to Drones for Rapid Parcel Delivery

Russian regions are deploying mobile drones to transport parcels of up to 10 kg between remote locations, cutting delivery times from hours on rugged roads to just minutes in the air.

In a bid to overcome Russia’s vast and often inaccessible terrain, regional operators have launched drone‑based delivery services for small parcels. In the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), drones now shuttle packages between Yakutsk and the nearby town of Nizhny Bestyakh, a route that spans 22 km by road but only half that distance in the air. Customers ordering through a local marketplace can expect their goods in under 15 minutes.

The Yakutian project, backed by the Innovation Development Fund and Technopark “Yakutia,” reflects the region’s push to integrate cutting‑edge technologies into daily life. “Unmanned aerial systems are becoming commonplace, enhancing convenience and comfort,” said Aysen Nikolaev, head of the republic.

Initial test flights began last year on a longer route between the villages of Berdigestyah and Kyoptin in the Gorny District. There, drones covered 121 km in just 90 minutes — an impressive feat given that the equivalent road journey exceeds 180 km and can take six to nine hours by car.

Yakutia’s foray into drone logistics follows similar pilots elsewhere in Russia, including a recent rollout in Nizhny Novgorod. Proponents say that widespread adoption of unmanned delivery vehicles could streamline logistics chains nationwide and drive down carriers’ operating costs.