09:54, 19 December 2025

Russia Builds a Digital Twin for Northern Supply Logistics

The digital twin of Russia’s northern supply logistics is expected to cut costs by up to 20 percent and make deliveries to hard-to-reach regions more predictable, according to the country’s Far East and Arctic development minister.

Russia is developing a digital model of its northern supply logistics system to make deliveries of essential goods to remote regions more transparent and less expensive. The initiative is expected to reduce costs by around 20 percent, said Alexey Chekunkov, Russia’s minister for the development of the Far East and the Arctic. A federal law governing the northern supply system is already in force, and the digital component is becoming part of its practical rollout.

A Digital Twin

The digital twin of the Northern Supply is a virtual model of the logistics system that covers deliveries of fuel, food, medicines, and other essential goods to the Far East and the Arctic, along with the routes and infrastructure involved. The digital replica makes it possible to analyze data, plan shipments, and simulate different scenarios without interfering with real-world operations. This, in turn, allows faster decision-making and more efficient use of resources.

A Transparent Model

Chekunkov emphasized the importance of transparency in the new system:

“Like in Yandex Taxi, where you can see how much of the route is left and what your fare is, you will be able to see this for every shipment of every cargo delivered under the northern supply program. We will no longer buy coal for a thousand settlements a thousand times from a thousand different suppliers. By consolidating these purchases, we expect to achieve up to a 20 percent reduction in prices.”

The new model is designed to cut operational costs by pooling procurement, calculating optimal routes, and monitoring deliveries in real time.

Digital Logistics

The digital twin project is part of a broader federal effort to digitize northern supply logistics, led by the Ministry for the Development of the Far East and the Arctic since 2025. The initiative fits into a wider strategy to improve cargo deliveries to remote areas, where harsh climates and limited infrastructure complicate logistics.

At its core, the digital twin relies on the collection and analysis of large volumes of data on routes, cargo volumes, transport types, and the condition of logistics infrastructure. The model helps identify bottlenecks in supply chains, select more cost-effective routes, and reduce logistical risks, ultimately affecting both the price and delivery times of goods for residents of remote regions.

Essential goods for people living in hard-to-reach areas with severe climates, as well as for rotational workers, are expected to become more accessible and affordable.

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