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The Governor began his report to the President by addressing support for participants in the special military operation and their families, before discussing the socioeconomic development of the region. Almost 4,500 tonnes of various supplies were sent to soldiers, and half a million units of equipment were delivered to units where Kaluga Region residents serve at the request of their commanders, including howitzer divisions, the Georgy Zhukov battalion, and the international Pyatnashka battalion, which has strong ties to the Kaluga Region. Assistance to the families of the soldiers is also provided in collaboration with the Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation. Over 30 different support measures have been implemented at the regional level. A rehabilitation centre for 110 individuals is being prepared at the regional clinical hospital. The ultimate goal is to help the fighters adapt to civilian life as quickly as possible, provide retraining if needed, and assist in finding employment. The federal development programme Time of Heroes for participants in the special military operation is also being carried out at the regional level.

Vladislav Shapsha also spoke about the assistance provided to the sponsored city of Pervomaisk in the Lugansk People’s Republic. The city has regained access to water, heating has been restored, school textbooks have been delivered, and a library has been opened.

The discussion also covered several projects implemented in recent years: a large sports ice palace with a swimming pool was constructed, the second stage of the State Cosmonautics Museum was opened, and a major bypass of Kaluga was completed. A key topic was the development of education in the region. Over the past five years, the number of schoolchildren has increased by 12,000. Nine new schools have been built, and plans are in place for four more within the next two years. Repairs have been made at 35 schools, with 15 additional schools set for renovation this year. The Professionalitet programme is also being developed, with high demand for professions in the mechanical engineering sector. New investors are emerging, along with new demand for trained specialists, particularly in wood processing. In collaboration with the Ministry of Education, the first Federal Technology Park for blue-collar jobs has been established. In addition to secondary specialised education facilities, a new campus of Bauman University, accommodating 3,500 students, has been built. This leading engineering school attracts students from various regions and countries. In the cultural space, the newly constructed Theatre for Young Spectators will soon open its doors. A ballet school is also planned, while a figure skating school has been actively operating since last year.

Vladislav Shapsha also provided an update on the restoration of the St Paphnutius of Borovsk Monastery and shared that, since 2022, Optina Pustyn, one of the most venerated sanctuaries, has been hosting Dostoevsky Days. This spiritual and educational project has been made possible with the support of the Presidential Foundation for Cultural Initiatives and the blessing of the Patriarch. Additionally, the restoration of the old believer church in Borovsk is set to be completed this year, with its opening planned soon.

The Governor discussed, in great detail, how the region overcame difficulties caused by sanctions against Russia. Over the years of industrial development, the Kaluga Region built over 130 enterprises, including multiple companies with foreign capital. The automotive cluster comprising 30 interlinked enterprises (Volkswagen, Peugeot-Citroën and Volvo) and employing 10,000 workers ground to a halt.

Regional authorities teamed up with the Russian Government to search for partners. Russian investors now own all these enterprises that have been operating since mid-2024. The region manufactured 13,000 motor vehicles throughout 2024. This year, the former Volkswagen plant will manufacture over 110,000 cars. The former Peugeot-Citroen plant will manufacture 25,000 HAVAL cars under a knockdown assembly contract. The region is reinstating previous performance indicators. Many foreigners remained in the Kaluga Region and continue to expand their production facilities.

The head of the region noted that, although the automotive industry used to account for 40 percent of industrial output, it became possible to reach pre-crisis industrial production levels last year. The region has been posting growth of over ten percent for two consecutive years, and the gross regional product (GRP) is growing by five percent annually. Gross industrial output exceeds one trillion rubles. It therefore became possible to have a bigger regional budget whereas both the region and municipalities no longer borrow any loans from commercial banks.

According to Vladislav Shapsha, the pharmaceutical industry continues to develop actively and has posted 120 percent growth in the past five years. An interesting example: opened in 2018, an advanced grain processing plant started manufacturing crystalline dextrose last year. This product is part of a ready-made medication. Hospitals all across Russia need this liquid substance.

Replying to the President’s remark that it was necessary to increase the number of doctors, Vladislav Shapsha confirmed that this was a high-priority issue. Consequently, Kaluga University and the Obninsk subsidiary of Moscow’s National Research Nuclear University MEPhI (Engineering Physics Institute) have opened two medical departments, nuclear and general medicine. They are already training specialists for medical institutions in the Kaluga Region.

Agriculture continues to develop actively with a 17 percent growth in the past five years. The dairy cattle breeding sector also continues to develop. In 2019, the region produced about 400,000 tonnes of milk, and this amount has now reached 600,000 tonnes. There are now plans to boost milk production to one million tonnes.

Vladislav Shapsha recalled that his five-year tenure as regional governor was set to expire this coming September. Many objectives have been accomplished, and it is also necessary to resolve quite a few objectives, issues and problems. He said that he was ready to continue this work with the support of the Kaluga Region residents and with the President’s approval.

Vladimir Putin noted that on the whole, the Governor was working effectively but that it was necessary to pay additional attention to certain issues, including environmental protection. For example, there are 222 unauthorised landfill sites in the region. These complicated issues have to be addressed. Another problem is that the municipal transport network is overloaded. It is necessary to address this issue together with the Russian Government and to take part in implementing programmes for the support of the automotive sector. The President promised to help and wished every success.