Events digest: highlights of the week at the National Centre RUSSIA
Digital transformation, artificial intelligence, the development of the platform economy and the creative spaces – these were among the key themes discussed at the National Centre RUSSIA over the past week. Read on for our weekly digest of the main events.
Mikhail Mishustin opened the IT forum "Digital Solutions"
Russia’s IT industry has shown the fastest growth among major economic sectors over the past five years and is becoming a foundation of the country’s digital sovereignty. Opening the "Digital Solutions" forum on 12 November, the Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Mikhail Mishustin, noted that the IT sector’s contribution to GDP has almost doubled, while the output of in-demand software has grown significantly. Demand is also increasing: in the first half of the year, sales of Russian IT services grew by more than 14%, and investments in the sector exceeded 300 billion roubles.
The Prime Minister stressed that the government will continue to support the sector: next year will see reduced insurance contributions, lower profit tax rates and the continued exemption from VAT on sales of domestic software. He also highlighted the promise of the platform economy and the expansion of e-commerce, whose turnover surpassed 5 trillion roubles in the first half of the year.
Platform Economy Day
Digital platforms are becoming a key driver of the new economy, transforming traditional models of interaction between people, businesses and the state. At an Open Dialogue expert session at the National Centre RUSSIA, participants from different countries emphasised that platformisation leads to the automation not only of production, but also of institutional processes – from social services to global trade. In Moscow, for example, major platforms in healthcare, education and social services have already been established, enabling process optimisation and sharply improving efficiency, as demonstrated by the Unified Radiology Centre.
Participants also presented successful international cases. In Africa, digital solutions and the use of unmanned aerial vehicles have made medical assistance more accessible. In China, the development of industrial platformisation is based on extensive telecom infrastructure, from 5G to data centres. India showed the role of the state in creating digital identification and a service ecosystem that has ensured technological inclusion for millions.
Platforms: the new framework of the economy
The rapid development of digital platforms is shaping a new framework for the Russian economy, transforming how consumers, businesses and the state interact. At the meeting of the Interagency Working Group held as part of Platform Economy Day, experts noted that platforms are becoming an independent type of economic organisation, increasing transparency, efficiency and citizen engagement. At the same time, their growth raises regulatory questions: it is important to support innovation while protecting the interests of consumers and providers.
According to government representatives, the influence of platforms is expanding rapidly: e-commerce already accounts for 15% of retail, billions of goods are ordered annually through services, and new models increasingly cover services, healthcare, education, transport and tourism. Platforms have become a significant source of income for 16% of the population and a major investor in logistics, warehousing and technology. Their combined turnover has reached 5.5% of GDP, and infrastructure investment continues to grow, turning platforms into key customers for related industries.
How the domestic IT industry is developing
At the plenary session of the IT forum "Digital Solutions 2025", experts discussed the key achievements and challenges of the Russian IT industry. Digitalisation has become a routine part of life and a new standard for service quality. Deputy Chairman of the Government – Chief of the Government Staff of Russia, Dmitry Grigorenko, noted that behind the convenience of digital services lies a vast, largely invisible infrastructure – domestic software, AI, and telecom systems developed through joint efforts of the state and business. These fundamental technologies define the country’s development and its technological sovereignty.
Industry representatives highlighted major progress in telecom infrastructure, innovative solutions and import independence: regions are actively expanding connectivity, AI is being integrated into operational processes, and the first Russian base stations are already operating in industrial environments. At the same time, software developers face an economic slowdown, reduced budgets for automation and increasingly complex export procedures. Nevertheless, the software segment remains one of the fastest-growing, showing more than 30% growth and relying on state support, broad digitalisation and sustained demand for domestic solutions.
Memorandum on fair practices of digital platforms
On 11 November at the National Centre RUSSIA, the largest digital platforms – RVB (Wildberries & Russ), Ozon and Avito – signed a Memorandum on fair practices, taking on voluntary commitments to begin complying early with the requirements of the platform economy law, which comes into force on 1 October 2026. The document provides for enhancing cooperation with partners and clients, strengthening personal data protection, introducing anti-fraud mechanisms and combating counterfeit goods. Representatives of the government and business stressed that such self-regulation reflects the maturity of the industry, increases trust in the digital environment and creates conditions for the sustainable development of platforms and Russian producers.
Exposition of leading IT solutions
As part of the forum "Digital Solutions 2025", an exposition of leading domestic IT developments opened. Guests can explore innovative products and services shaping the country’s digital future and test them in an interactive format. The exposition is divided into eight thematic zones: "Telecommunications", "Public Services", "Software", "Artificial Intelligence", "Platforms and Services", "Cybersecurity", "Russian Hardware", and "Personnel and Training".
Digital platforms set course for protecting buyers and producers
At the plenary session "Economy of Trust" held on 11 November at the National Centre RUSSIA, participants discussed the development of the platform economy, the transparency of rules and the protection of buyers. The Deputy Chief of Staff of the Presidential Executive Office of Russia, Maxim Oreshkin, noted that platforms optimise economic processes and evolve at different speeds: from the near-complete platformisation of taxi services to the early stages in the social sphere. The Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Grigorenko, stressed that the growth of marketplaces is a natural part of the digital economy and requires new regulation that reflects the specifics of interactions between sellers and buyers.
At the National Centre RUSSIA, the first national IT award "Digital Solutions" was presented, recognising the best projects of domestic companies that strengthen the country’s technological leadership. The ceremony covered eight categories, including "Digital Security", where the Centre for Biometric Technologies won with its biometric-processing solution; "Applications and Software", awarded to Astra Linux; "Innovation in Communications and Telecoms", won by the "4G Mobile Network Core" project of NTC PROTEI; "Platform Solution", awarded to R7-Office; "AI Development", won by Yandex Cloud; "Digital Skills Training", awarded to Algoritmika; "Digital Service", won by RTK-TsOD; and "Hardware Solution", awarded to MTS.
Artificial intelligence in Russia is no longer an experiment but a practical tool transforming approaches to public administration, business and services. At the session "AI Implementation: Dividing Roles, Uniting Goals", held as part of the IT forum "Digital Solutions 2025", experts discussed how to turn an "expensive toy" into an effective instrument. The Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation, Dmitry Grigorenko, stressed that AI makes public services proactive and user-friendly, forecasts outcomes and solves tasks faster. The Governor of the Moscow Region, Andrei Vorobyov, noted that the number of AI-based projects in the region had grown from 10 to 53 in a year thanks to cooperation with leading IT companies.
Banks and telecom companies are also actively introducing AI as an assistant to humans. The President of VTB, Andrei Kostin, spoke about reducing data-processing times and saving billions of roubles, while the CEO of VimpelCom, Sergei Anokhin, highlighted two main directions: automating routine processes and using AI as "exointelligence" that expands human capabilities, boosts productivity and improves decision-making quality. AI is becoming not just a technology but a tool reshaping work and management approaches across all sectors.
Regional examples of digital transformation progress
At the "Digital Solutions 2025" forum, experts discussed how Russia’s regions are introducing digital technologies and what results residents are already experiencing. The Moscow, Kaluga, Tyumen, Novosibirsk, and Chelyabinsk regions shared their experience, including the digitalisation of healthcare, the use of artificial intelligence, the rollout of feedback platforms and the expansion of online services.
In the Kaluga region, AI helps optimise doctors’ work; in the Moscow region, the digital transformation of employment centres and infrastructure facilities has cut process timelines from several years to just months; and the Tyumen region applies technologies for rapid public notifications and the development of telemedicine. The Chelyabinsk and Novosibirsk regions focus on reducing digital inequality and improving service quality: residents of Chelyabinsk now have access to online services for environmental monitoring and postal operations, while the Novosibirsk region is actively introducing electronic medical records and AI projects in education and kindergartens. Across all regions, the common trend is higher efficiency, greater convenience for citizens and wider access to digital services through new technologies and platforms.
Russian cosmonaut Alexei Zubritsky became the first to obtain a public service online directly from the International Space Station, using biometrics to sign in to the Gosuslugi portal and activate a self-ban on issuing SIM cards – a process that took just 30 seconds, Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko reported. This case demonstrates how digitalisation and modern technologies simplify access to public services: biometrics allows users to receive services anywhere – at home, at work and even in orbit – and more than 600,000 people have already used the self-ban function to protect themselves against fraud.
"Class meeting" with Natalia Virtuozova
On 16 November, Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Natalia Virtuozova held a "Class meeting" with members of the Federal Council of the First from 89 regions of the country. They discussed the key areas of the Centre’s work, cultural initiatives, the development of regional branches and projects aimed at preserving the historical and cultural code of the regions. Natalia Virtuozova presented symbolic gifts – roly-poly dolls as a reminder of childhood and cultural connection – spoke about the "Young Tour Guides School" project and about the opening of branches in Primorye, Krasnoyarsk, and Yugra. She also highlighted the role of young people in shaping the country’s future and encouraged them to take an active part in national and cultural initiatives. Participants were able to ask questions and discuss the promotion of regional brands and youth engagement in the country’s development.
The "Winter Wizards" festival opened on 15 November at the National Centre RUSSIA. The first to appear on stage was Khel Muchi from the Chuvash Republic.
Deputy Director General of the National Centre RUSSIA Anastasia Zvyagina noted that the project showcases the richness of regional New Year traditions through 19 unique fairy-tale characters. More than 200 children watched a theatrical performance filled with adventures, magic and an important message about kindness, sensitivity and believing in miracles.
How Krasnoyarsk is preparing to open a branch of the National Centre RUSSIA
The branch of the National Centre RUSSIA in Krasnoyarsk, scheduled to open on 15 December, will become a platform for the region’s creative development, bringing together people, teams and ideas. According to Irina Teslyova, Head of the Social Communications and Regional Engagement Directorate of the National Centre RUSSIA, the Centre is being created as a space for reflecting on the country’s future and fostering pride among residents, allowing visitors to feel connected to Russia’s development. The building will house a permanent exposition, a children’s technopark, a theatre stage and rooftop concert venues. The project is being developed by local teams, stimulating creative entrepreneurship and setting a new standard for telling the story of the country.
