Sergei Sobyanin presented awards to the winners of the Moscow Masters competition.

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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Sergei Sobyanin presented awards to the winners of the annual citywide professional skills competition "Moscow Masters." It has been held since 1998 as part of a tripartite agreement between the Moscow Government, the Moscow Federation of Trade Unions, and the Moscow Confederation of Industrialists and Entrepreneurs (Employers).

"Congratulations on your well-deserved victory in one of Moscow's finest, most interesting, and traditional competitions—Moscow Masters. And every year this competition becomes more relevant and competitive. You won thanks to your skill, talent, commitment to your profession, your commitment to your enterprise, and this wonderful city. Thank you very much. As you can see, attitudes toward all things domestic, toward domestic products, toward economic development have changed rapidly in recent years, amid severe sanctions, the challenging situation associated with a special military operation, and the requirement to develop import substitution and the defense industry, relying significantly not simply on supplies from abroad, but on domestic production and products. Ultimately, this, of course, requires highly qualified specialists who are skilled, knowledgeable, and work in a way that earns the trust of not only your colleagues in Moscow but also foreign specialists. We win many international competitions, which demonstrates the high level of excellence of Moscow specialists," emphasized Sergei Sobyanin.

According to him, every industry requires highly qualified personnel, who are the key to its development. Many industrial enterprises, which until recently abandoned Moscow in search of cheaper rent or land, are now actively returning to the capital, in need of specialists. This is especially true for high-tech companies, which require competent employees, their talents, knowledge, and skills. It turns out that the most important thing is people and their talents, the Moscow Mayor emphasized.

The same is happening in various sectors of city life, such as transportation, construction, housing and utilities, healthcare, tourism, and the creative sector, which are also actively developing and require an increasing number of highly qualified specialists.

"And I am very grateful to you for choosing your professions and achieving such a level of excellence and mastery. I think your parents are proud of you, your loved ones, your colleagues at your companies, Moscow is proud of you, and I am proud of you. Thank you!" said Sergei Sobyanin.

The competition's goal is to enhance the prestige of highly skilled labor, develop the human resources potential of businesses and organizations, promote professions needed by the city, and attract young people to the real sector of the economy and social institutions.

The competition covers various fields of activity, including industry, construction, housing and utilities, transport, social and cultural spheres, health and safety, and the service sector. Information about it is widely disseminated in the media and online. A special site.

The competition is held in several stages depending on the profession. Traditionally, it begins at the organization level, where the best employee is identified, who then represents the company at a regional or industry-wide competition. The winners of the final stage become the city's top professionals and are awarded the honorary title of "Moscow Master."

The competition's winners and runners-up are awarded diplomas and cash grants from the Moscow Government. First place receives 300,000 rubles, second place 200,000 rubles, and third place 150,000 rubles.

Over the past years, more than 1.3 million specialists have participated in city competitions. The winners have repeatedly won the all-Russian "Best in Profession" competition.

The capital selected the best specialists from socially oriented NGOs.

In 2025, the "Moscow Masters" competition was held for the 28th time, covering 40 professions. Specialists from over 1,800 Moscow-based companies participated. For the first time, the competition featured such professions as socially oriented non-profit organization specialist, care assistant, landscaping worker, social rehabilitation specialist, professional cleaner, and non-destructive testing specialist.

"There are no age or experience restrictions in the competition—only professionalism is assessed. The youngest winners were 20-year-old electronics engineer Ivan Vasilenko and salesperson Sofia Kudryavtseva. The most experienced winner was toolmaker Alexei Ivakin, with 36 years of experience in the profession," Sergei Sobyanin said on his channel.

MAX messenger.

Source: Sergei Sobyanin's channel in MAX messenger

The oldest participant, occupational safety specialist Dmitry Klyuev, turned 57 this year. The average age of this year's finalists is 35, five years younger than five years ago.

"Dear Sergey Semenovich, it is a great honor for me to become part of such a professional community—'Moscow Masters.' And although all our colleagues come from different fields, we are united by a sincere love for our profession. This is respect for work and a desire to make our city much better each year. Special thanks, Sergey Semenovich, for your attention to secondary vocational education. Thanks to this support, our colleges receive new equipment, various professional standards are being considered, new algorithms, new approaches, and opportunities for improving teaching staff. I congratulate all the 'Moscow Masters' and wish you good luck and success. Love your profession and be proud of it, and we will work together for our beloved city," said Dmitry Beloborodov, Industrial Training Master at Medical College No. 1.

Alena Sokolova, senior operating room nurse of the highest qualification category at the V.M. Buyanov City Clinical Hospital, thanked the Mayor of Moscow for his support of the "Moscow Masters" competition and the development of Moscow healthcare.

"The professional excellence competition demonstrates how many true professionals work in our city. For me, winning the competition is not only a great joy but also a huge responsibility. Thank you, Moscow Government, for your attention to the capital's healthcare system. We feel this very much in our workplaces. New flagship emergency medical centers, new clinics, renovated hospital buildings, high-tech equipment, and the opportunity for continuous development—all this is very valuable to us. We promise to honor our work and live up to the title of Moscow's medical professionals," said Alena Sokolova.

Many of the competition's participants represent family lines of work. For example, Roman Vinogradov, the best electric bus driver of 2025, found his passion in the profession thanks to his parents, who met at the bus depot where they both worked. Finalist Andrey Puzanov's family had a significant influence on his career choice. His father once encouraged him to enroll in a technical school to become a crane operator. Andrey mastered the profession and is convinced of the wisdom of his choice—he now participates in the construction of kindergartens, schools, and other vital facilities.

This year, for the first time, a woman won the "Civil Construction Supervisor" category. Yulia Fedina, an employee of the Construction Management 555 group of companies, has been in the profession for 20 years. In choosing her career path, she followed the example of her father, a civil engineer. "I proudly and confidently say: I am building the best city on Earth!" said Yulia Fedina. She thanked Sergei Sobyanin and the Moscow Government team for the opportunity to prove herself as a specialist whose work makes the lives of city residents better and more comfortable every day, and for the high recognition of her work.

"Our economy is currently developing rapidly and requires increasingly qualified specialists. I am grateful to the competition participants for their high level of skill. Your loved ones, colleagues, and all of Moscow are proud of you!" Sergei Sobyanin wrote on his Facebook page. MAX messenger.

Source: Sergei Sobyanin's channel in MAX messenger

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Financial News: Corporate lending accelerated further in August.

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Central Bank of Russia

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Banks' claims on companies (including investments in bonds) increased by 1.3% after 1.1% in July, with most of the increase coming from ruble corporate loans.

Mortgage growth also accelerated slightly, to 0.9% after 0.7% in July. The volume of loans issued increased by 10%, including not only subsidized loans but also market loans, driven by lower rates.

The consumer loan portfolio remained virtually unchanged after contracting by 0.5% in July.

Household funds increased by only 0.1% after 1.3% in July, likely due to spending on vacations and preparations for the school year. Corporate funds, however, grew more significantly, by 2.4% (1.4% in July).

The sector's net profit (excluding dividends from Russian subsidiary banks) almost halved to 203 billion rubles, down from 397 billion rubles in July.

For more details, read the information and analytical material "On the development of the banking sector of the Russian Federation in August 2025".

Preview photo: Greg Kelton / Shutterstock / Fotodom

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

A combined ticket to the exhibitions "Yu.N. Reitlinger," "Graphics Cabinet," and "Russian Abroad: Paths and Destinies"

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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The Alexander Solzhenitsyn House of Russia Abroad invites you to a guided tour of its exhibitions.

The "Yu.N. Reitlinger" hall displays frescoes from the émigré Church of St. John the Warrior in Meudon, painted by the Russian artist and iconographer Yulia Reitlinger. They were miraculously saved by Nikita Struve, director of a major publishing house, before the church's destruction in the late 1980s. The "Graphics Cabinet" displays a collection of graphic art from the Alexander Solzhenitsyn House of Russia Abroad. Visitors will also see items from the museum's main exhibition, "Russian Abroad: Paths and Destinies."

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Hearts of Generations

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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Library No. 252 will host a concert entitled "Hearts of Generations" to mark the International Day of Older Persons.

The best performances will be presented by creative groups participating in the "Moscow Longevity" project, including the vocal and instrumental ensemble "VIA," the Russian song ensemble "Ivushka," and the academic choir "Kantiamo." The concert will also feature performances by artists from the literary creative association "Svecha i Grozd," the choreographic group "Viktoria," the vocal ensemble "Veselye Notiki," the vocal and choral studio "Otrada," and the classical guitar studio.

After the concert, everyone will be able to learn about the project's directions and ask questions.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Polytechnic University at the II Russian-Kyrgyz Educational Forum: New Horizons for Joint Development

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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Today, the 2nd Russian-Kyrgyz Educational Forum opened in Bishkek. The forum focused on the contribution of Russian and Kyrgyz universities to the development of the economies and societies of both countries, as well as practical cooperation with industrial partners, primarily through Russian-Kyrgyz consortiums of technical, medical, and agricultural universities.

Today's meeting is an important step toward creating a common educational, scientific, and technical space. Modern challenges, economic transformation, and the development of new industries, medicine, agriculture, and geotechnology make our cooperation strategically essential, noted Baktiyar Orozov, Minister of Science, Higher Education, and Innovation of the Kyrgyz Republic, in his welcoming speech.

A delegation from Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University, led by Rector and RAS Academician Andrey Rudskoy, played a key role in the forum. The delegation included Vice Rector for Academic Affairs Lyudmila Pankova, Vice Rector for Continuing and Pre-University Education Dmitry Tikhonov, Vice Rector for International Affairs Dmitry Arsenyev, and Acting Director of the Higher School of Technological Entrepreneurship Artur Kireev.

The first day of the forum, held at the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University, focused on developing specific mechanisms for integrating education and the economy.

Polytechnic University Rector Andrey Rudskoy participated in the central panel discussion "Economic Needs and Universities' Opportunities: How Universities and Industrial Partners Can Work Together," where he presented a concept for transforming engineering education that the university is implementing jointly with leading industrial corporations.

"We are purposefully moving away from the classic Bologna model toward a flexible architecture where interdisciplinarity, integration with industry, and a variety of qualifications become the core of training. Our projects with Gazprom, Rosatom, and Rostec demonstrate how the university is becoming a fully-fledged link in the education-research-implementation chain," noted Andrey Rudskoy.

Particular emphasis was placed on the successful strategic partnership with KRSU. A shared digital educational space has already been created, network programs have been launched, and applied projects are being developed with Kyrgyzstan's industrial partners, such as Alliance Altyn (mining) and Geoscan (unmanned systems).

Immediately after the discussion, the rector signed several agreements with partners.

Under an agreement with the Kyrgyz-Russian Slavic University named after B.N. Yeltsin, an engineering track will be established under the supervision of the Polytechnic University at the International Institute of Continuing Education of KRSU. The main objective is to jointly develop modern continuing professional education programs for the market.

An agreement was also signed with KRSU and Irbis-Kurulush on joint projects in digital modeling in construction. A Student Design Bureau will be opened at KRSU.

Three agreements were signed with Salymbekov University to launch joint international double-degree bachelor's degree programs in the areas of "Digital Enterprise Economics," "International Logistics," and "International Business."

SPbPU Vice-Rector for Educational Affairs Lyudmila Pankova moderated the roundtable discussion "Training Personnel in Demand in the Modern Labor Market," which explored in detail the mechanisms for adapting educational programs to the rapidly changing economic needs of both countries.

Speakers at the session included heads of Russian and Kyrgyz universities and businesses. The discussion centered on the intersection of university objectives and industry interests. Universities generate knowledge and train personnel, a relatively time-consuming process. Industry, meanwhile, is addressing ongoing development and efficiency challenges and needs personnel "here and now."

How can these demands be reconciled? The answer, unanimously agreed upon by the discussion participants, is the introduction of new educational formats at universities and the active involvement of industry representatives in the educational process from the early stages of training.

Industrial partners can organize special career tracks that allow students to combine study with work, and young professionals to combine work with study.

Participants in the discussion expressed interest in continuing the dialogue at other venues and adopting each other's best practices.

Vice-Rector for Continuing and Pre-University Education Dmitry Tikhonov participated in the roundtable discussion "Business as a Qualified Client: The Experience of Russia and Kyrgyzstan," presenting SPbPU's model for working with corporate clients.

Vice-Rector for International Affairs Dmitry Arsenyev spoke at the roundtable discussion "The Russian Language and Participation in Online Educational Programs as Tools for Successful Study and Career," emphasizing the role of Russian as a bridge for academic and professional mobility.

Acting Director of the Higher School of Technological Entrepreneurship, Artur Kireev, joined the jury and participated in the summing up of the results of the startup project competition of the Russian-Kyrgyz Development Fund and KRSU.

The 2nd Russian-Kyrgyz Educational Forum confirmed SPbPU's status as a strategic partner for leading Kyrgyz universities. The signed agreements are purely practical in nature and aim to create specific infrastructure—a Student Project Bureau, an engineering track for continuing education, and joint dual degree programs. The active participation of a broad group of SPbPU vice-rectors in the expert sessions demonstrated the university's comprehensive approach to developing international cooperation and its commitment to deep integration of education, science, and industry.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Valeria Dauvalder is a Russian storyteller from Switzerland.

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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The Alexander Solzhenitsyn House of Russia Abroad will host a lecture-tour dedicated to the work of Valeria Dauvalder, a Russian poet, artist, storyteller, philosopher, and theologian who lived most of her life in Switzerland.

The breadth of her interests and talents is truly astounding. She emigrated with her parents as a child, but she always remembered Russia with gratitude and longed to visit at every opportunity. She first succeeded in doing so in the 1950s. Her love for her homeland permeated all her work and became a source of inspiration. The vivid images of her fairy tales, the vivid descriptions, the kindness and sincerity of her writings captivate a wide range of readers.

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The work of a lifetime

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Library No. 243 "Obraz" will host a meeting entitled "The Work of a Lifetime," dedicated to the 130th anniversary of the birth of Soviet commander and Marshal of the Soviet Union Alexander Vasilevsky.

Visitors will take a virtual tour of Marshal Vasilevsky Street and learn about its history. The military leader's biography will also be discussed. Visitors will be able to read the marshal's memoirs and view documentary footage.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Prince of all Rus'

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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Library No. 248 will host a thematic program dedicated to the 700th anniversary of Ivan Kalita's birth.

Listeners will learn how the "Prince of All Rus'" earned such fond memories, what he did for the development of Moscow, and why it is with him that the rebirth of Rus' is traditionally dated. Viewers will learn how Ivan Kalita expanded the territory of the Moscow Principality. His acquisitions reveal a larger political plan: the creation of a unified, strong, and independent Russian state.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Ivan Shmelev's Moscow

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The Alexander Solzhenitsyn House of Russia Abroad will host a walking tour entitled "Ivan Shmelev's Moscow."

A Muscovite by birth, a lawyer by education, and an Orthodox Christian by conviction, Russian writer Ivan Shmelev lived through the Civil War and emigration. He spent 28 years in exile, but Moscow always remained a central theme in his work. Visitors will be able to walk through Shmelev's landmarks in the ancient capital. The houses and churches, streets and alleys will help you recall not only Ivan Shmelev's life in Russia but also explore the pages of his biography abroad, imagining the city that inspired "Pilgrimage," "Nanny from Moscow," "Heavenly Paths," and "Summer of the Lord."

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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Dance festival

Translation. Region: Russian Federal

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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The Tovarishch regional club system will host a dance festival and concert for children and teenagers.

Participants will be able to showcase their dance skills and creativity in various categories. Spectators will see folk, modern, ballroom, and other dances performed. Performances will include the MIX-show pop group, the Svetlyachok choreography group, the NUTS.Com dance community, and other artists.

Please note: This information is raw content obtained directly from the source. It represents an accurate account of the source's assertions and does not necessarily reflect the position of MIL-OSI or its clients.

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