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Alexander Tsybulsky began with the key issue that is of concern to everyone: support for those currently serving in the special military operation zone, those returning home, as well as their families. In particular, a digital roadmap titled Return to Civilian Life has been developed with guidelines for those who have returned from the zone of the special military operation. The guidelines include information on topics like rehabilitation, medical examinations, and training. The roadmap is closely linked to the Defenders: Under the Archangel’s Wing programme, which allows users to send online requests, suggestions and comments to local officials and competent authorities.

The Governor also spoke about working with the sponsored region of Zaporozhye. As many as 34 projects have been completed, including major renovation projects, heating supply repairs, and the launch of multi-purpose public services centres. There is an agreement under which the Arkhangelsk Medical Data and Analysis Centre will accumulate all imaging done in the Zaporozhye Region, analyse the images remotely using AI and issue medical specialist’s opinions. There are other areas as well where the sponsored region can receive assistance.

Regarding socioeconomic development, the Governor noted that, after the challenges of 2022 and 2023, the situation has now stabilised, with key performance indicators not only recovered but demonstrating growth. He added that the Arkhangelsk Region’s economy was heavily export-oriented, with the majority of exports destined for the markets of the ‘unfriendly countries’ – nations that, in violation of international law and the principles of business partnership, abruptly severed trade relations. However, Arkhangelsk businesses have redirected their operations to new markets. Today, there is modest growth in exports compared to 2022, even in the timber industry.

The timber industry is beginning to recover. Forest restoration efforts are underway, with a 102.7 percent replacement rate achieved last year, meaning that more trees were planted than felled. Another Arctic Forest Firefighting Centre has opened to train firefighters for the entire country. Another new segment is construction of biofuel boiler stations. As per the President’s instruction to address the issue of pellet disposal, the region has launched the construction of pellet boiler stations that are fully localised: every component used is made in Russia. The first 20 boiler stations have been launched, making 30,000 tonnes of pellets available to the domestic market this year.

Construction of a deep-water section of the Arkhangelsk seaport is another project. Its investment declaration has already been developed, with Rosatom as the general partner. Other companies are joining, including China’s NewNew Shipping Line airline, which has shown great interest. They are willing to invest up to 200 billion rubles in exchange for a 30-percent share in that port.

Alexander Tsybulsky reported that the gross regional product had increased to 899 billion rubles, a rise of 0.7 percent, with the objective of exceeding one trillion rubles within the next two years and reaching 1.2 trillion rubles within five years. Industrial production grew by seven percent last year, with shipbuilding and ship repair being the key drivers of growth in recent years. The region is the absolute leader in Russia’s Arctic Zone in terms of housing construction volumes and is preparing for the second phase of the programme to relocate residents from dilapidated and emergency housing. Modernisation of utilities infrastructure is underway. Improvements have been made to 705 urban areas, and comprehensive development of rural territories is in progress.

The region also leads the Arctic Zone in the number of projects implemented by residents of the Arctic Zone. To date, there are 264 projects with total declared investments of 215 billion rubles, of which 40 billion rubles have already been invested in operational production facilities.

One of the region’s challenges is its road network, but progress is being made. Over five years, 1,800 kilometres of roads have been built and 50 bridges repaired, with over 200 additional kilometres to be added and another ten bridges to be overhauled this year. For a region with many rivers and lakes, bridges are often critically important.

The discussion also covered healthcare, particularly the development of primary care, equipment procurement, and the increase in high-tech medical procedures, including organ transplants. Responding to Vladimir Putin’s remark about the need to focus on oncology, Alexander Tsybulsky noted that the high detection rate of cancer cases over the past five years is partly due to the establishment of outpatient oncology centres across the region. Survival rates for cancer patients have also improved.

Education and workforce training for the timber industry, shipbuilding, ship repair, and defence industry enterprises were also discussed. The Governor spoke about an innovative project to develop unmanned technologies. Given the specific conditions of the Arkhangelsk Region, the country’s first unmanned river-to-sea transport route has been launched. Recently, such a vessel completed its first cargo voyage from Arkhangelsk to the Solovetsky Islands, navigating nearly the entire White Sea and a river waterway. Plans are in place to introduce two or three such vessels on regular routes by next year.

Alexander Tsybulsky recalled that, pursuant to the President’s instruction, he chairs the State Council Commission on International Cooperation and Export. He highlighted certain risks related to reduced funding for some export support measures and emphasised that, given the need to access new, geographically distant markets, transport subsidies should not be reduced for Russian exporters located far from key trade hubs. This is crucial, he stressed, because trading partners such as the People’s Republic of China actively subsidise their exporters. Alexander Tsybulsky outlined his specific proposals in this area.