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Since late May 2023, the Belgorod Region has endured intensive shelling from the Ukrainian side. The city of Shebekino and nearby residential areas have suffered the most severe damage. There have been civilian casualties, including fatalities and injuries. Attacks by the Ukrainian Armed Forces on the Belgorod Region have damaged over 400 social infrastructure facilities, including cultural centres, schools, kindergartens, and other institutions.

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President of Russia Vladimir Putin: How are you, Mr Gladkov?

Belgorod Region Governor Vyacheslav Gladkov: Thank you very much, Mr President, for this meeting.

Allow me to report on the current results of the region’s socioeconomic development and the measures we are taking to protect civilians, based on the operational situation.

First, I would like to express my deep gratitude for federal assistance. Over the past four years, we have received 5.7 billion rubles from the federal budget to support industry, small and medium-sized businesses, while the regional budget has allocated four billion rubles.

Regarding the agricultural sector: we received 16 billion rubles from the federal centre, with three billion directed to farmers from the regional budget. Today, in terms of gross regional product per capita, we rank third in the Central Federal District.

Vladimir Putin: Overall, these are good indicators. However, agricultural production has declined slightly.

Vyacheslav Gladkov: I can explain why. Due to the operational situation, 160,000 hectares of arable land have been taken out of cultivation. Nevertheless, in 2024 – thanks entirely to the heroic efforts of our farmers – we produced over one million tonnes of pork in live weight for the first time in Belgorod Region’s history, an unprecedented achievement.

Thanks to our geneticists and plant breeders, we are transitioning to domestic seeds and agricultural machinery while maintaining production volumes. The only issue remains the shelling, as we cannot allow people to die, hence the minor reduction in cultivated land. But I am confident this situation will normalise.

In mineral extraction, we continue to rank first in the Central Federal District. In agricultural output per hectare, we hold first place in the Russian Federation.

Vladimir Putin: This indicates very good productivity.

Vyacheslav Gladkov: Yes. The Belgorod Region has always been renowned for its exceptional farming culture and highly efficient agricultural enterprises. This tradition continues. Credit must be given: businesses prioritise this fully, implementing numerous digital solutions.

Small and medium-sized businesses are developing steadily. We rank fourth in the Central Federal District in this regard, with over 61,000 entities, and this number is growing. Compared to 2021, turnover in this sector has increased by 55 percent.

During our first meeting, you instructed us to ensure that the Belgorod Region keeps its leadership despite anything. We are working with all our economic operators to fulfil this task.

(After that, the conversation moved to the implementation of national projects, the demographic issue, support measures for healthcare and education aimed at increasing the birth rate, sports events and facilities, and the renovation of schools. In late 2025, every third child in the region will study in new or renovated schools. Vyacheslav Gladkov said that there are 300,000 children in the region, and all of them must have equal opportunities regardless of whether they live in villages or cities. The Governor also briefed the President about the Brigantina Belogorye children’s resort centre in Yevpatoria, Crimea, where children from border districts who must be protected from shelling attacks are sent as a priority.

Another issue concerned the recycling of various types of waste, both household and industrial waste, and the construction of a waste sorting and a waste incineration plants.

The Governor also spoke about the regional measures of assistance for participants in the special military operation. One of the main tasks is to provide psychological and medical rehabilitation and offer employment, especially depending on the gravity of wounds. According to the Paralympic Committee, the Adaptive Sports Centre, which was built in the Kursk Region several years ago, is the best in the country. It offers training in 40 sports for people with various disabilities. There is also a branch of the CITO Medical Research Centre that manufactures prosthetic devices. This large complex is located on the premises provided by the region, while the Ministry of Industry and Trade supplied the necessary equipment. It is regarded as an interregional project involving the new regions and the Kursk, Bryansk and Orel regions.)

Vyacheslav Gladkov:Mr President, air defence has become a part of our daily lives. We knew about it from numerous books about the Great Patriotic War, songs and paintings. War not only becomes an integral part of life but also helps uncover hidden reserves. People in the border regions have gone through a difficult time. One young woman, an artist, now paints her works on fragments of the S-400 system.

Vladimir Putin: It is not a fragment of S-400 but its casing.

Vyacheslav Gladkov:Yes, you are absolutely right; it is part of the body, a casing. It has become a symbol of something that protects us. At the same time, it offers not just hope but confidence that victory will come soon. Frankly, I would like to present it to you with all my heart.

Vladimir Putin: Thank you very much. Please convey my gratitude to the artist.

Vyacheslav Gladkov:I will, by all means.

Vladimir Putin: It is a good, heart-warming painting. “Belgorod does not surrender.” Thank you very much.

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