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Flight regulations: The Far East will become a testing ground for unmanned civil aviation
The Far East has become Russia's main investment and technological locomotive in the Pacific Ocean. At the plenary session of the XI Eastern Economic Forum on September 3, Vladimir Putin summed up the results of a large-scale multi-year construction project and launched an updated Strategy-2036. Over the past years, 25 trillion rubles have been invested in the region, tripled the economy and brought unemployment down to a record low of 2.2%. Now the country is moving from the race for indicators to improving the quality of life of the population of the Far Eastern Federal District. From tax benefits and a million for a third child to unmanned aircraft and Arctic nuclear power plants, what standards is the state preparing for the Far East so that the country's best cadres will want to live there?
The Far East is moving towards an era of high living standards
The culmination of the XI WEF was the plenary session under the motto "The Far East — development for the benefit of people." On September 3, in a crowded FEFU hall, Vladimir Putin launched a new stage in the fate of the macroregion. The main result of the past decade is obvious: the Far East has made a tremendous leap, turning from a remote suburb into a powerful economic outpost of the country. Over 11 years, 25 trillion rubles have been attracted for development, and giants of the level of the Zvezda plant or the Amur Gas Processing Plant have been launched. As a result, the region's economy has more than tripled.
The dynamics of investments, the growth rate of industry and the volume of construction here consistently exceed the national average. As a result, it directly stimulates the growth of citizens' incomes and strengthens the labor market. The President recalled that 20 years ago, unemployment in the district was about 8%, and now it has almost quadrupled to a record low of 2.2%. Moreover, about a third of the district's working residents are employed in small and medium—sized businesses. Now Vladimir Putin has launched an updated Strategy-2036, where the focus has clearly shifted from economic indicators to the quality of life of families.
— We are well aware that people are needed to drive innovation. And modern, well—educated people will not live in conditions that do not meet their expectations of a high standard," the president said.
The comfort of cities will be ensured by the master plans of 22 Far Eastern agglomerations: they have already opened a cancer center in Yakutsk and a nuclear medicine center in Ulan-Ude, renovated airports in Magadan and Blagoveshchensk, and built 90 schools and kindergartens.
Vladimir Putin still considers demography to be the main challenge for both the region and the country. Although, in general, this is a common problem in the post-industrial world, and Russia, according to him, is not in a worse position: the birth rate in South Korea is about 0.7. And in the Far East, this coefficient (1.43) is already 23% higher than the Russian average, but the bar needs to be raised. To do this, they extend the subsidy of 1 million rubles for the birth of a third child until 2030 and change social attitudes. "Demography is generally something on the verge of science and art," Putin said.
At the same time, the moderator noticed another problem that seems to be well—known throughout Russia - the high cost of vegetables and fruits. The President answered bluntly: incomes are higher here, but life is also more expensive due to complicated logistics. The way out is to reduce the cost of energy and build your own greenhouses. The authorities are trying to equalize the cost of living in different regions of the country, but the Far East has its own problems that do not yet allow us to achieve such indicators.
Logistics development prospects and new technologies in the Far Eastern Federal District
Therefore, the main task for the integrated development of the Far East remains the modernization of transport routes. As for logistics, transit along the Northern Sea Route, the main core of the Transarctic transport Corridor, is going to be made completely year—round, doubling the volume of traffic to 70 million tons by 2030.
The energy framework for new industrial centers and northern ports will be provided by technologies in which Russia holds absolute world primacy. New generation facilities in the Arctic zone will include low-power nuclear power plants that have no foreign analogues. In addition, the Far East, as the head of state noted, will become a key experimental ground for the introduction of civilian unmanned systems and new technologies in Russia.: At low altitudes, the sky is rapidly becoming as busy an artery as railways or waterways. Starting from January 1, 2027, a special legal regime will be established in the region to test these solutions.
Andrey Bezrukov, Chairman of the Management Board of the Center for Unmanned Systems and Technologies and a member of the Public Council at the Ministry of Transport, in an interview with Izvestia called the decision to introduce a special legal regime for drones in the Far East a timely and vital step. Due to the huge distances and complex logistics, the region is ideally suited for the role of a testing ground: drones here are becoming not just a trending technology, but an economic salvation. However, for a full—fledged breakthrough in the abolition of bureaucratic barriers, it is not enough - the region needs an integrated infrastructure with its own communications, navigation and a unified airspace management system. If the entire ecosystem is successfully tested, the Far East will be able to form a ready-made model of an unmanned economy for the whole of Russia.
To make it even easier for investors to start factories, starting from January 1, 2027, the entire territory of the Far East and the Arctic will be covered by a single preferential regime. An entrepreneur will no longer have to "get attached" to specific SEZs or TORS — wherever he goes with a project, he will be able to assemble a "menu of benefits" for himself: from tax discounts to help with the supply of light and water.
To attract large investments, first of all, it is necessary to ensure macroeconomic stability, the head of state stressed. The situation is as follows: the key rate is already decreasing, and conditions are gradually returning to normal. Despite the fact that GDP growth has slowed down slightly to about 0.6%, over the past three years, the increase in Russia's gross domestic product has consistently remained above the European average.
Annual inflation in the country is currently at 6.3%. There was also a real threat of a price spike, the president said, but the economic authorities managed to prevent it. So, the Bank of Russia's maintenance of a high key interest rate is a conscious decision that allows us to ensure this very macroeconomic stability.
What are the interests of Asian partners in the Far East?
No major economic forum in Russia is traditionally complete without the participation of Russia's international partners. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto was also the main guest at the SPIEF in 2025, but his participation in this year's WEF is of particular importance for the development of cooperation with Russia, including due to its proximity to the Far East. At a minimum, the authorities plan to launch direct flights to Vladivostok, as well as to develop sea transportation. "Ships will carry goods, and planes will carry friendship," Subianto expressed hope. In the context of the entire country, the Indonesian leader proposed doubling trade turnover and called for speeding up the ratification of the agreement with the EAEU.
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto during the plenary session of the Eastern Economic Forum
China already firmly occupies the place of the largest trading partner of the Far East and is going to deepen this cooperation. To do this, it would be good to facilitate investment activities, said Deputy Premier of the State Council of the People's Republic of China Ding Xuexiang at the plenary session. And according to the Prime Minister of Mongolia, Nyam-Osoryn Uchral, the Far East occupies a special place in the Asia-Pacific region. The republic actively cooperates with Russian logistics hubs. For example, the Ulaanbaatar Railway will directly connect Mongolia's transport corridors with the infrastructure of the Far East. The joint project of the three countries, the Russia—Mongolia—China economic corridor, will generally improve conditions for cross—border trade, infrastructure and logistics.
Myanmar's Vice President, Nyo So, saw opportunities to strengthen ties between the Russian Far East and Asia. The Republic considers a joint port project with the Russian Federation in the region as an economic corridor for the countries of North Asia and ASEAN. The countries present at the WEF can contribute not only to the development of the Far East by deepening cooperation with Russia, but also to the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict.
— First of all, Russia and Ukraine must agree among themselves. And all other countries are ready to support and help. And not only the United States, but also the countries present here," Vladimir Putin said.
For example, China is doing everything possible to ensure that the problem is solved, primarily by peaceful means. Xi Jinping personally raises this issue. Contacts with American colleagues are also continuing, including through the special services. There is a chance for constructive peace talks, and Russia is grateful to all those who are trying to contribute to the settlement of the Ukrainian conflict, the head of the Russian Federation stressed.
However, Kiev's aggressive policy can offset these efforts. The President once again drew attention to the threats emanating, including the seizure of civilian vessels, attacks on merchant vessels, and now attacks on civilian aircraft: "This, of course, is a manifestation of state terrorism. Moreover, Ukraine's Western allies are becoming complicit in international terrorism by keeping silent about Kiev's actions."
To prevent attacks on Russian facilities, it is necessary to strengthen the air defense system. Repairs at Russian refineries after the attacks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces have already been completed by 90%. At the same time, Putin reiterated that there is no question of any nationalization after the decree on infrastructure protection. And Russian businesses have already started investing in protecting their businesses.
Переведено сервисом «Яндекс Переводчик»
