During a working meeting in the Kremlin, the Governor briefed the President on the region’s socioeconomic development.
Mikhail Vedernikov, who has been heading the region since 2018, reported that a number of systemic problems had been resolved in recent years, significantly improving the situation in the region. In 2017, the regional budget stood at 27 billion rubles, while public debt amounted to almost 102 percent. Thanks to decisions taken by the President, costly commercial loans were replaced with preferential budget loans, while some of the debt was written off. Today, public debt stands at 42.8 percent, while the regional budget has grown to 79 billion rubles. GRP per capita has reached 607,000 rubles, more than double the 2018 level. Industrial production has grown by almost a third since 2018. The region also consistently ranks among the leaders in agriculture, while its unemployment rate is among of the lowest in the country.
The Governor noted that the Pskov Region is not only a cradle of Orthodoxy and a showcase of Russian culture, but also a dynamically developing region that attracts people, including those from unfriendly countries, who share Russia’s traditional values. The region has even established the post of commissioner for compatriot affairs. Since 2024, more than 10,000 people from these countries have arrived in the region with the intention of obtaining residence permits and Russian citizenship.
Efforts are also underway to improve the region’s transport accessibility. Transport links with St Petersburg have been expanded, rail services with Belarus have been restored. The airport has also resumed operations, handling a total of 142,000 passengers last year. A new arrivals terminal is about to open, and major renovation works on the existing terminal will start soon. Once completed, the airport complex will have a capacity of around half a million passengers. These improvements are driving rapid growth in tourism, attracting investors and leading to the emergence of new tourist destinations.
The discussion also covered road and school construction, as well as the development of utility infrastructure. Over the past five years, a total of 275 billion rubles has been invested in the region’s infrastructure through national projects and various government programmes. Responding to Vladimir Putin’s remark about the shortage of doctors, Mikhail Vedernikov said that, with the support of the President and the Government, the region had managed to reverse this negative trend and that the shortage was no longer as acute. The situation in the education sector is less critical, but appropriate measures have already been put in place there as well. Vladimir Putin also drew attention to the growing number of unauthorised waste dumps in the region and asked the Governor to keep the issue under review.
The Governor also spoke about the region’s support for the front line. Regular contact is maintained with commanders of military units from the Pskov Region. A total of 47 support measures are available to participants in the special military operation and their families. Programmes have also been introduced to help service members returning with injuries or disabilities adapt and reintegrate into society, including through sport. A small adaptive sports centre has been opened, offering air pistol shooting, strength training and other activities.
The Governor asked the President to support the construction of an adaptive physical education and sports centre in the Pskov Region. The project has already received the backing of the Minister of Sport and the leadership of the Russian Sport Fund. With a Presidential instruction, the centre could be completed within two years. Mikhail Vedernikov also stressed the importance of honouring fallen heroes. Two memorials have already been established at their burial sites that are visited not only by their relatives.
The Governor also spoke about Russia’s first spiritual rehabilitation centre for veterans of the special military operation and their families. Located at the Pskovo-Pechersky Monastery, the centre has proved highly popular.
Mikhail Vedernikov noted that the Holy Dormition Pskovo-Pechersky Monastery and the town of Pechory celebrated their 550th anniversary in 2023. Extensive work was carried out ahead of the anniversary, resulting in a several-fold increase in the number of pilgrims, tourists and other visitors. He added that the Pskov Region has been working to restore cultural heritage sites since 2020. While the programme initially covered 36 sites, that number has now risen to 69.