President Putin Explores Advanced Scientific Infrastructure in Russia’s Closed Cities

Sarov Exhibition Highlights Innovations and Educational Development in Key Atomic and Research Hubs

President Vladimir Putin visited Sarov, where he toured an exhibition dedicated to the scientific and educational infrastructure within Russia`s closed cities. This visit underscored the nation`s focus on its high-tech and strategic research centers.

During his comprehensive tour, the head of state was briefed on the significant progress and achievements in the development of scientific hubs. The exhibition showcased advancements not only in Sarov but also in other crucial atomic cities, including Snezhinsk, Lesnoy, Zheleznogorsk, and Obninsk. Detailed models and presentations offered insights into the future trajectory of these Russian high-tech scientific complexes.

The presidential tour was personally conducted by Alexei Likhachev, head of Rosatom, who provided in-depth explanations of the various projects. Dmitry Bakanov, head of Roscosmos, elaborated on the future prospects of the `Space Atom` center located in Zheleznogorsk. Meanwhile, Vladislav Shapsha, the Governor of the Kaluga Region, highlighted the continuous development and advancements at `Obninsktech`.

President Putin also received updates on the successes of Sarov`s National Center for Physics and Mathematics, where cutting-edge `megascience` class facilities are actively being developed. In Snezhinsk, the focus is on training design engineers and researchers for the All-Russian Research Institute of Experimental Physics, an institution vital for maintaining Russia’s nuclear defense capabilities. The city of Lesnoy is establishing an integrated `school-to-enterprise` educational system designed to prepare highly skilled specialists for the Ural defense industry and the `Elektrokhimpribor` enterprise.

A significant portion of the briefing concerned Obninsk`s strategic plans. By 2030, the city aims to substantially increase its foreign student population to half a million. This initiative is intended to cultivate a loyal technological elite from Russia`s partner countries. A representative from `Obninsktech` aptly characterized this educational outreach as a manifestation of Russia`s `soft power,` a sentiment that President Putin openly endorsed.