Aisen Nikolayev briefed the President about the socio-economic development of the region.
At the beginning of the meeting, Aisen Nikolayev noted that the republic’s economy remained resilient. Despite all sanctions, ALROSA Co., the only diamond-producing company in the world, posted profits in 2025. Yakutia has placed first among other Russian regions in silver production, 586 tonnes mined last year. It holds second place in gold production with 56.5 tonnes produced in each of the last two years. Yakutia is also second in coal output, with 51 million tonnes, and holds fifth place in oil and gas production.
Today, our main objective is to achieve victory together with the country, the Head of the Republic stressed. On behalf of Yakutian service personnel, he gave the President a Yakutian knife as a gift and discussed measures to support participants in the special military operation and their families in the republic, including the programme Yakutia – Land of Heroes. Vladimir Putin asked him to pay attention to those with severe wounds. Aisen Nikolayev recalled that, since the beginning of the special military operation, a health centre in the Moscow Region, owned by Yakutia, had been converted into a facility for rehabilitating severely injured service members. Over 1,000 people have been treated there to date.
Speaking about the economy, Aisen Nikolayev mentioned such federal-level infrastructure projects as the Pacific Railway built by Elgaugol Co., with a capacity of up to 30 million tonnes of coal, and the Arctic Synergy telecommunications project. The federal government and the republic have invested 5.5 billion rubles each into this project, and 61 Arctic towns have received fibre-optic communications networks. The project will eventually include Chukotka and the Northern Sea Route and will feature underwater trans-Arctic cables. Consequently, north-eastern Russia will take a tremendous step forwards in the sphere of information and communications security.
Replying to Vladimir Putin’s remark about a certain direct investment slump, Aisen Nikolayev recalled that the most ambitious Power of Siberia mega-project had received over one trillion rubles. The President agreed that it was hard to maintain high investment levels following such projects.
Energy development was also discussed. A total of 2 GW of new generating capacity is currently under construction in Yakutia and to be commissioned over the next three years. The projects are being implemented by ALROSA, Inter RAO, and RusHydro. Aisen Nikolayev also noted that electricity tariffs in Yakutia’s isolated power system remain exceptionally high, making support of the unified energy system through load redistribution essential. Vladimir Putin expressed his support for this approach.
Turning to social policy and demographics, Aisen Nikolayev reported that Yakutia has the highest life expectancy in the Far Eastern Federal District, exceeding 75 years. He also noted that the number of large families in the republic increased by nearly 10 percent last year. Major businesses are joining in supporting families, with some companies already providing employees with a one-time payment of one million rubles upon the birth of a child. The republic’s tripartite agreement between trade unions, employers, and the regional government includes dedicated provisions on the corporate demographic standard, workplace health promotion programmes, and support measures for participants in the special military operation and their families.
The discussion also covered housing and social infrastructure development, the expansion of the gas distribution network, implementation of the master plans for Yakutsk and Neryungri, the establishment of a modern film production centre in the Far East by 2030, and Yakutia’s considerable potential in the field of artificial intelligence.
The head of Yakutia also reported on the launch of a programme to develop deposits of strategically important and scarce mineral resources, including iron ore, copper-tungsten, and lead-zinc deposits. He made particular reference to the Tomtor rare earth metals deposit, which forms part of Rosneft’s development programme. In accordance with the President’s instructions, construction of the Lena Bridge is now in full swing. Foundations for eight bridge piers have been completed, and 208 of the planned 990 piles have already been installed.
Turning to culture and education, Aisen Nikolayev reported on several ongoing major projects, including the Arctic Centre of Epic Literature and Arts, which will also house the Yakutia State Philharmonic, as well as the construction of a new music college. He also noted that the unique educational complex Point of the Future is scheduled to open later this year. The 60,000-square-metre campus will provide an integrated educational environment, including residential housing for families raising adopted children. The project is being financed entirely by a charitable foundation. Aisen Nikolayev invited the President to attend the official opening ceremony on September 1.