Russia and China Plan Cross-Border "Drone Bridge"

Trade between Russia and China is driving the search for new logistics solutions to prevent congestion at border crossings. As Pavel Puzanov, deputy chairman of the Amur regional government, noted at a business forum in Kazan, authorities are preparing pilot programs for drones and autonomous trucks in partnership with Chinese authorities.

The first project involves building a "drone bridge" between the cities of Blagoveshchensk and Heihe on the Amur River. The drones would transport high-margin cargo, such as electronic components weighing up to 50kg.

The second project, developed by Russian autonomous driving company Navio, would allow Chinese driverless trucks to transport heavier freight between the two cities. Cross-border test runs with a safety driver in the cabin are scheduled for 2027, with fully autonomous operations possible in 2028. For passengers, the world's first cross-border cable car is expected to begin operating between the two cities in 2027.

China-Russia trade rose 26% year on year to $159bn from January to July and could reach a new record by the end of the year, according to Chinese Ambassador to Russia Zhang Hanhui. Trade fell in 2025 for the first time in five years, after reaching a record in 2024.

(Reuters, Max)