Kazakhstan and Russia launch driverless freight route

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (MNTV) — Kazakhstan and Russia have launched a pilot project for driverless freight transportation between the two countries, marking a new phase in the digitalization of Eurasian logistics and cross-border transport infrastructure.

Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev announced the initiative during a joint press conference following talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Tokayev said transport connectivity remains critical for both countries in delivering goods to domestic and international markets and noted that Kazakhstan and Russia are continuing to develop transcontinental transport corridors along the North-South and East-West routes.

“It is encouraging that systematic measures are being taken to optimize tariffs, simplify administrative procedures and modernize border infrastructure, resulting in steady growth in cargo transportation volumes,” Tokayev said.

According to the president, freight traffic between the two countries reached approximately 92 million tons last year, up nearly 3.5% from the previous year.

“We plan to continue increasing these indicators, including through the introduction of advanced digital solutions and artificial intelligence technologies. A clear example is today’s launch of driverless freight vehicles between our countries,” he said.

Speaking on the sidelines of the Eurasian Economic Forum, Kazakhstan Vice Minister of Transport Damir Kozhakhmetov told Russia’s TASS news agency that the first test routes are operating between Astana and Moscow.

“As part of cooperation between our two countries, we are integrating our digital solutions in order to move from traditional systems into a new era of autonomous transportation,” Kozhakhmetov said.

“Two trucks departed simultaneously from Moscow and Astana and crossed the border checkpoint. This demonstrated that we are already infrastructurally prepared to move to a new level of cooperation,” he added.

Earlier, Kazakhstan Transport Minister Nurlan Sauranbayev said the two countries were prepared to establish permanent driverless freight routes as early as this year.

Tokayev said the project reflects the broader strength of Kazakhstan-Russia relations.

“In conditions of continuing turbulence in global politics, stable and predictable models of interstate partnership acquire special value,” he said.

“Relations between Kazakhstan and Russia have stood the test of time and are now successfully responding to the challenges of a new era.”

According to Tokayev, bilateral cooperation is supported by large-scale projects that provide tangible benefits to both countries. He noted that trade turnover in the agricultural sector alone has increased by about $1 billion over the past five years.

Investment ties have also expanded, with Russian investment in Kazakhstan exceeding $29 billion, making Russia the largest source of foreign direct investment in the country, Tokayev said.

“At the same time, Kazakh investments in the Russian economy have reached $9 billion, which is also a strong indicator,” he said.

More than 20,000 companies with Russian participation currently operate in Kazakhstan, according to the president.

Tokayev also highlighted energy cooperation, particularly agreements signed during Putin’s visit concerning the construction of Kazakhstan’s first nuclear power plant near Lake Balkhash.

“In my opinion, the agreement on the construction of the Balkhash nuclear power plant is of exceptional importance,” Tokayev said.

“This project will become a locomotive for scientific, educational and technological cooperation and will ensure the development of related industries in energy and industry as a whole, above all in Kazakhstan.”

Following the talks in Astana, the two countries signed a joint declaration outlining seven principles of friendship and good neighborliness between their peoples, along with an intergovernmental agreement establishing the framework for cooperation on the construction of a nuclear power plant in Kazakhstan.

The sides also signed an agreement on a Russian state export loan to help finance the project.

Kazakhstan plans to build at least three nuclear power plants, with Russia’s state nuclear corporation Rosatom selected to construct the country’s first facility.