Patriotism, innovation, personnel: Yuri Trutnev held a meeting with young people at the National Centre RUSSIA in Primorye

As part of a working trip to the Primorye Territory, Deputy Prime Minister of the Russian Federation and Presidential Plenipotentiary Envoy to the Far Eastern Federal District Yuri Trutnev met with young people in Vladivostok. The meeting was attended by Minister for the Development of the Russian Far East and Arctic Alexei Chekunkov and Governor of the Primorye Territory Oleg Kozhemyako.

The event brought together 80 people, including veterans of the special military operation, volunteers and Young Guard activists. In addition, 26 public support headquarters from municipalities across the territory joined the meeting. The network of headquarters is a project of the Primorye branch of the United Russia party. These are public spaces where useful and interesting events are held for residents. One of the formats used by the headquarters is broadcasting lectures from the National Centre. Thanks to the established communication system, it became possible to involve active young people from far away districts of Primorye remotely.

Photo: Government of the Primorye Territory

"Dear young guards, you carry on the glorious name of the members of the 'Young Guard', who fought for our Motherland during the Great Patriotic War. This is a great honour. I know that today you, young activists, are also helping to defend our Motherland. A couple of days ago, at the plenary session of the 'There Is a Result' forum organised by the United Russia party, I spoke in detail about what is being done to develop the Far East. Today we would like to listen to you, so that you can tell us what you are doing, what is working out and how we can help. We asked you not to prepare speeches or questions specially. I want us to speak informally," Yuri Trutnev said as he opened the meeting.

Patriotic education was one of the central topics. Since the first days of the special military operation, Young Guard activists have been involved in humanitarian work. More than 80 activists from Primorye have worked in the new regions and in the Kursk Region, helping civilians, service personnel and hospitals, and taking part in the restoration of territories. This work continues: new volunteer shifts are formed every two weeks.

"Patriotic education of young people is one of the most important areas. We once had initial military training. We were taught how to handle weapons, the basics of tactics and other military disciplines. Now we have created the VOIN (WARRIOR) Centre, which is present in 21 regions of the country, including five Far Eastern regions. We have agreed to open it in Primorye in the near future. We involve people who have gone through the special military operation in the work of the centre. Friends from the 155th Brigade asked me to help one of the combat veterans. I will not even list how many times he was wounded in battle. We met here in Primorye. He asked for help with finding work. This is a worthy position — wanting to be useful to the country. He is now involved in youth education at Far Eastern Federal University. He is one of those people we should be proud of. I attended a meeting he held with students. When he began to speak, the students fell respectfully silent. We need to unite the efforts of those who have already gone through the school of combat and those who are only preparing for it. Everyone must be ready to defend our Motherland. This is a common task, including for the 'Young Guard'. Meetings between young people and our Heroes, who defended and continue to defend our Motherland, work wonderfully. The story of the path these young people have taken in their lives inspires others. Today, there is both friendly and unfriendly sentiment towards Russia. A war is being waged against us. Not only in combat. It is also being waged in the media and in ideology. This is being done professionally and seriously. This is a difficult period for the country. To get through it, we have only one option: to unite and move forward through joint efforts. This is how Russia has always overcome difficulties," Yuri Trutnev noted.

Since February 2026, the head of the regional branch and activists of the "Young Guard" have been serving as part of the BARS-22 "Tiger" volunteer battalion, a Primorye assault unit. Work is also continuing in the Primorye Territory. Six truckloads of humanitarian aid, equipment and gear have been collected and sent. More than 3,000 families of participants in the special military operation have received targeted support from young guards.

Photo: Government of the Primorye Territory

"We must win. We have no other choice. Everyone must ask themselves a simple question: what have they done for Victory? We are also standing in the same ranks here, and we must move forward and think about this every day," Yuri Trutnev emphasised.

One of the questions concerned the work of young specialists in government bodies: "A person’s qualities matter. It matters how a young specialist studied. It matters how they think. We need allies. People who can think, who care about how our country develops and who are ready to help us develop territories."

Participants and veterans of the special military operation can take part in the Time of Heroes programme. The programme is being implemented on the instructions of the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and is aimed at training highly qualified managers to work in state and municipal government bodies, as well as in large state-owned companies. Yuri Trutnev and Alexei Chekunkov are among its curators.

Alexei Chekunkov, Head of the Ministry for the Development of the Russian Far East, recalled the Muravyov-Amursky 2030 programme, which is designed to train highly qualified specialists for effective work in public administration and the socio-economic development of the Far Eastern Federal District and the Arctic Zone of the Russian Federation. The fifth intake of the programme began several days ago. The contest for participation in the programme reached 160 candidates per place, with applications submitted by candidates from all regions of the country.

"The first thing we tell the young people who join the programme is that they have come not to build a career, but to help solve people’s problems. We prepare them for long-term creative work in difficult areas, where they will serve Russia, serve the Far East and the Arctic," Alexei Chekunkov explained.

In addition, Governor of the Primorye Territory Oleg Kozhemyako described the Muravyov-Amursky programme as an important personnel tool: "Around 30 graduates of the programme are already employed in the Government of the Primorye Territory. There is even one female graduate serving as deputy minister, so this is a working tool. Talented people come to us, and we are happy to hire them."

Yuri Trutnev drew attention to the need for young people to take part in projects to attract and develop technologies.

"Technological development is becoming a matter of the country’s security and sovereignty. Those who are ahead in technological development begin to impose their will on other countries. This is where we need the support of young people; this is where one can and should become useful to the country," he said.

The meeting also covered issues related to the construction of affordable rental housing, construction projects and support for mass sport. Governor Oleg Kozhemyako spoke about plans to develop sports infrastructure in Primorye and support athletes.

"We see the need to create several large sports facilities that could host international contests. We have already allocated land plots and agreed them with the Russian Federation of Aquatic Sports. There will be three swimming pools there, including a special diving pool. The construction of an indoor athletics arena, a hockey development centre and a gymnastics development centre are planned on Russky Island. We have already worked through the preliminary designs. The implementation timeline has been set for 2027-2030. We invite Olympic champions to work as coaches in core sports. We believe they can have a significant impact on the training of high-level athletes," the head of the region commented.

At the end of the meeting, Yuri Trutnev addressed the activists. In particular, he asked the participants to speak about the opportunities available to young, active people in the Far East.

"Let us tell the citizens of our country about the Far East together. This is a territory that is developing 30% faster than other parts of the country. It is easier and faster to find work here. You surely have friends in other territories. Explain this to them, tell them about the Far East and attract them to work in the macroregion," he noted.

Let us remind you that all expositions and events at the National Centre RUSSIA in Primorye are free of charge. Follow schedule updates on social media and in the "Events" section on the Centre’s website.