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December 16, 2025

Sergei Sobyanin: An educational center will be built in Moscow's Voykovsky District.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The Moscow government has approved plans to build an educational complex and a public and business facility with a total area of approximately 33,000 square meters in the northern part of the city. Sergei Sobyanin signed the corresponding decree.

The projects are being implemented through private investment as part of the city's program to stimulate the creation of employment opportunities. For example, an educational complex with 1,075 seats will be built on Admirala Makarova Street in the Voykovsky District. And a 15,400-square-meter public and business facility with a parking garage is planned for Ilmensky Proyezd in Zapadnoye Degunino. In total, these projects will create approximately 1,000 jobs.

The Moscow Government approved a program to stimulate the creation of employment opportunities in 2019 (Resolution No. 1874-PP of December 31, 2019) to encourage housing developers to actively build industrial, commercial, social, cultural, and other important facilities for the city. Investors who simultaneously create new jobs while building housing receive a tax break on changes to the permitted use of land for housing construction.

The program's implementation stimulates comprehensive, balanced development of new districts, reduces the shortage of jobs in existing developments, and curtails excessive commuting.

As part of this program, the Moscow Government has already approved the creation of more than 2,700 facilities with a total area of over 8.3 million square meters, including new industrial enterprises, office and retail facilities, educational, cultural, and sports institutions.

A total of over 2.8 trillion rubles will be invested in the city's development and employment creation. A significant portion of the investment will be directed toward the development of high-tech industry. The employment creation incentive program will create over 360,000 jobs in virtually all sectors of the city's economy.

Within the framework of the program, 47 facilities have already been built, creating approximately 36 thousand new jobs.

Apply for obtaining special status Developers can do this through the Moscow investment portal.

Moscow maintains positive socio-economic development dynamics

Subscribe to Sergei Sobyanin's official channels on messengersMAXAndTelegram.

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.

December 16, 2025

December 16, 2025 Poster session on microplastics in the main building of Lomonosov Moscow State University!

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Ecology Foundation

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Poster session on microplastics in the main building of Lomonosov Moscow State University!

December 16, 2025

This busy year concludes with an exhibition on microplastics at the Faculty of Geography in the main building of Lomonosov Moscow State University!

The faculty has four departments whose educational and research activities are related to environmental issues. The environmental education exhibition "Truth and Myths about Microplastics" aims to draw the attention of younger generations to the issue of polymer and microplastic pollution. This exhibition will be of interest to a wide range of faculty specialists, from biogeographers to oceanographers, as microplastics are found in all components of the environment!

Where: Faculty of Geography, Lomonosov Moscow State University

When: December 15-25, 2025

December 16, 2025

RUDN University economics students helped organize a series of talks at the "Made in Russia. Choosing the World" conference.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peoples'Friendship University of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Just imagine: 1,500 export negotiations in two days, 48 importers from 15 countries, and 150 companies from 38 Russian regions. Yana Londarenko, a Master's student in the International Trade program at the RUDN University Faculty of Economics and head of international projects at Business Connect LLC, organized a large-scale export negotiations session at the "Made in Russia. Chosen Worldwide" conference, commissioned by the Russian Export Center.

"When organizing such a large-scale international event at the federal level, every question is a challenge. Focus, quick reactions, and decision-making are essential. These are skills that every international economist must possess, combining several roles. On behalf of the organizers, I would like to express my gratitude to all the students from my beloved RUDN University, who played an important role as moderators at the negotiating tables. I am confident this experience will help them in their future professional careers!" — Yana Londarenko.

The "Made in Russia. Chosen Worldwide" conference focused on the development and promotion of Russian non-resource exports. The event's main goal was to develop a roadmap for strengthening the national brand in domestic and international markets. The forum brought together representatives of businesses, regional export support centers (ESCs), and experts in foreign economic activity. Over the course of three days, Russian entrepreneurs held business meetings with foreign buyers from the CIS, China, the Middle East, Latin America, and Africa.

50 conference tables

Over 30 undergraduate and graduate students from the RUDN University Department of International Relations assisted with the negotiations. Ulyana Lukicheva, a first-year student in the "Global Economy and International Economic Security" program, participated in the event as a volunteer.

"On the first day, after preparing the event, I attended negotiations between Zambia and various Russian companies. They proceeded as follows: approximately 50 tables, each with a buyer from one of 16 countries, a volunteer, and a translator. Every 20 minutes (the duration of each meeting), a representative of the Russian company would approach, and the negotiations would begin. This was a very important experience for me. Firstly, I was able to learn a great deal about products and various business and negotiation strategies. Secondly, I practiced my English, especially words and phrases related to my field," says Ulyana Lukicheva.

According to the student, she learned a lot of new business terminology, understood how some factories operate, and what companies and buyers primarily look for during negotiations. Among the most frequently asked questions, the student highlighted the following: "Do you have experience exporting to other countries?", "What is the retail and wholesale price of your products?", and "Is specialized packaging possible?"

"On the second day, I volunteered at the buyer's table from China. The negotiation process was the same as the first day, but there were some peculiarities. First, the Chinese buyer focused on healthy lifestyle products: if they were food, then those with low or no sugar content. Each meeting was much shorter than the Zambian one, so even companies not on the list had time to approach," says Ulyana Lukicheva.

In Africa they recommend

One of the international participants at the "Made in Russia. The World's Choice" conference was South African entrepreneur Slausie Mogami. She is the chair of the Women Leaders of Africa organization and the head of the BRICS South African Agriculture Working Group. Mogami is already well acquainted with the "Made in Russia" brand and recommends that her compatriots consider high-quality Russian products. She spoke with representatives of the RUDN University Faculty of Economics and shared her impressions of the conference.

"As I represent a large number of South African companies, I'm pleased that this event attracted a wide range of proposals across various industries, and concrete results are expected. It was great that representatives from many countries attended, especially from Africa and the Middle East. I'm also impressed that the majority of products in Russia are now organic. Producers avoid using GMOs, and their products meet international standards," says Slauzi Mogami.

December 16, 2025

Financial news: Microfinance organizations will be prohibited from issuing new loans to individuals until the previous one is repaid.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

The restriction will apply to the most expensive consumer loans, where the total cost exceeds 100% per annum. A three-day cooling-off period will be imposed between the repayment of one expensive loan and the issuance of the next.

Such norms are prescribed in the law, adopted by the State Duma. It provides for serious restrictions on microfinance organizations (MFOs) and radical reform of the industry. These innovations will curb unscrupulous practices that literally lure people into debt bondage.

"About 70% of the most expensive microfinance institution loans are reissued as new ones, more than half with larger amounts. This indicates a serious problem for citizens. People fall into a debt spiral, their debt snowballing. The new law puts an end to such practices. It will allow citizens to pay off their microfinance institution debts, stopping them from accumulating. Importantly, the ban will not apply to loans with interest rates up to 100% per annum. This will preserve financial accessibility: people will still have the opportunity to quickly obtain a loan for urgent needs without accumulating problems," noted Ilya Kochetkov, Director of the Non-Bank Lending Department.

Furthermore, the law has reduced the loan overpayment limit from 130% to 100% of the loan amount. This means that if you receive a loan of 10,000 rubles, you will have to repay no more than 20,000 rubles, including the principal, interest, fees, and penalties.

Microfinance organizations will also be able to issue POS loans for purchases in stores and on marketplaces, with funds being directly transferred to the merchant's account. This will provide additional options for individuals when choosing a lender and support a healthy, customer-focused market.

Preview photo: Irina Mikhailichenko / Shutterstock / Fotodom

December 16, 2025

The government approved the program "Preservation of Cultural Heritage Sites of the Peoples of the Russian Federation" for the period 2025–2045.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Document

Order No. 3773-r of December 12, 2025

At the President's direction, the Government has developed a program for the preservation of cultural heritage sites of the peoples of Russia, covering the period 2025–2045, and an action plan for its implementation. Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin signed the order approving this document.

The main goal of the new program is to preserve the country's cultural and historical heritage for current and future generations. Its implementation will increase the number of restored historical and cultural monuments and integrate them into economic use.

To achieve this goal, the program includes specific mechanisms. These include subsidies to regions and non-profit organizations for cultural heritage preservation activities, as well as subsidized loans to entrepreneurs for the restoration of such sites. It is expected that at least 1,000 historic buildings will be restored by 2030 using this subsidized instrument, and at least 800 more by 2045. Investors will be able to become property owners, provided they comply with cultural heritage preservation obligations.

The program also includes an inventory of cultural heritage sites included in the state register and in need of restoration. These sites will then be prioritized for economic development, allowing for a precise determination of the funding, resources, and time required to restore them to their proper condition.

Comment

From Mikhail Mishustin's opening remarks at the 2025 Government Culture Awards ceremony

Furthermore, it is planned to improve legislation in the area of preserving cultural heritage sites, specifically by eliminating excessive requirements for work, reducing the timeframe for reviewing and approving project documentation and conducting state historical and cultural assessments, creating conditions for the development of human resources, including for the preservation of the Russian school of restoration, and completing work on approving territorial boundaries, protected areas, and urban planning regulations in settlements designated as historic settlements. Furthermore, the development of historic settlements and key settlements should be synchronized with the implementation of the national project "Tourism and Hospitality."

As a result of the program's implementation, the share of restored cultural heritage sites included in the unified register of historical and cultural monuments will increase to 90% by 2045.

Mikhail Mishustin announced the approval of the program for the preservation of cultural heritage sites and its main objectives on December 16Government awards ceremony in the field of culture.

"We expect cultural figures to play an active role in fulfilling these tasks. Your dedication and professionalism are absolutely indispensable here," the Prime Minister emphasized.

December 16, 2025

Vedomosti: Vinyl is making a comeback. Melodiya is reviving production in Novosibirsk.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Following its separation from the state holding company and privatization in 2020, the new private owner, Formax, invested approximately 150 million rubles in reviving the full record production cycle. A key decision was a shift in strategy: Melodiya is once again becoming not only the copyright holder of a gigantic archive but also the manufacturer. This decision was made amidst a sustained interest in vinyl among young people—in 2024, record sales on marketplaces grew by more than 88%. The founders emphasize that this is a natural continuation of musical traditions in the country and a logical step for a brand that Russians still associate with records.

This event marks the end of a long period when the brand, having lost its own production facilities after 1991, existed solely as an archival label and publisher, pressing vinyl at third-party factories in Europe. Now, the entire process—from remastering the original master tapes from which the vinyl records are copied, to pressing and packaging—is controlled by the company. The facility is designed to produce at least 100,000 records per year. Records are pressed using matrices made from the original master tapes.

The first releases are already available: the cult electronic album "Disco Alliance" by Zodiac, "Po volne moego pamiat" (On the Wave of My Memory) by David Tukhmanov, which has remained a hit for 50 years, the landmark album by VIA "Dos-Mukasan," and an updated version of a popular autogenic training song from the 1980s. Plans include more than 20 new pressings, including classical, pop, and children's fairy tales, as well as commissioned releases for third-party labels and artists. Melodiya hopes to capture up to half of the Russian vinyl market and is also considering the project with an eye toward export, reasserting itself as a major industrial player in the world of music.

Ivan Otvagin, December 12, 2025

December 16, 2025

Weekend Magazine: Melodiya has opened its own vinyl production plant!

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Melody – An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Firma Melodiya has launched its own vinyl record production facility in Novosibirsk. The decision was made due to the high demand for analog media. The first batch of releases is already available for sale.

"The revival of production under the Melodiya brand is a natural development of musical traditions in our country, which will allow the plant to become a worthy successor to the Soviet Melodiya plants," stated the company's CEO, Andrey Krichevsky. The first record released at the new facility was a Soviet autogenic training track from the 1980s, a recording developed by doctors at the Energetik sanatorium in Yalta as part of a healthy lifestyle course.

The initial batch also included iconic albums: "Po volne moe pamiat" (On the Wave of My Memory) by David Tukhmanov, "Disco Alliance" by the Latvian band Zodiac, and the debut album by the Kazakh VIA "Dos-Mukasan." The plant plans to expand its lineup and release records commissioned by artists and labels. The plant's capacity allows for the production of up to 100,000 records per year.

Semyon Nosov, December 16, 2025

December 16, 2025

Financial news: Banks will face increased fines for violating consumer rights.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Central Bank of Russia

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

Fines can amount to up to 1% of equity and no less than 1 million rubles. This high threshold is imposed on malicious violators of consumer rights—if the credit institution fails to comply with the Bank of Russia's order to correct the violation and continues to engage in unfair practices.

Law on increasing fines The State Duma adopted legislation today against banks for violating the rights of financial services consumers.

Thus, if a bank violates the law for the first time, the regulator will issue a recommendation to rectify it. If the violation is repeated, the credit institution will receive an order and pay a fine of up to 0.1% of its equity. However, if the order is not properly responded to, the fine may be increased to 1% of its equity.

"The Bank of Russia has repeatedly identified gross and systematic violations of consumer rights by certain market participants. It was easier for them to pay fines because they gained significantly more from unfair practices—their profits amounted to hundreds of millions of rubles. Therefore, we proposed an approach that would make violations economically unprofitable. We hope that the understanding that a violation will be followed by a significant penalty, exceeding the unfair gain, will deter the use of bad practices. This is precisely what the regulator strives for: we need not punishments, but the absence of violations of citizens' rights," noted Mikhail Mamuta, Head of the Service for Consumer Protection and Financial Inclusion.

The regulator will decide on the fine amount based on the number of transactions in which consumer rights were violated, the extent of damage caused to them, and the bank's unfair profits. Increased penalties apply for the most toxic and unacceptable financial market practices, such as pushing additional services when issuing loans, unjustified denials of payment holidays, and others.

Preview photo: Toey Andante / Shutterstock / Fotodom

December 16, 2025

Marat Khusnullin: The Moscow region section of the M-1 "Belarus" highway is over 80% complete.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Government of the Russian Federation – Government of the Russian Federation –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

On the federal highway M-1 "Belarus", the project to reconstruct the section from 66 to 84 km continues.

"We are consistently implementing a road infrastructure development program. It is a key factor in improving people's quality of life, road safety, and territorial development. Furthermore, modernizing existing roads is essential to significantly improve transport accessibility. Specifically, we are reconstructing 18 km of the M-1 "Belarus" highway in the Moscow region. We will widen this section from four to six lanes, which will increase road capacity and ensure comfortable travel for motorists. As of today, the overall technical readiness of the project has exceeded 80%. Earthworks on this section are fully completed. The final stage is paving—approximately 455,000 tons of asphalt concrete have been laid, or 94% of the total," said Marat Khusnullin.

The Deputy Prime Minister added that more than 39 km of barrier fencing (80% of the total) have already been installed at the site, and over 32 km of monolithic parapet fencing (95% of the total) have been installed. Construction workers are continuing work on installing drainage channels from the roadway, automated traffic management system (ATMS) cable ducts, and installing traffic management frame supports.

According to Vyacheslav Petushenko, Chairman of the Board of the state-owned company Avtodor, construction and installation work is underway on 12 artificial structures at the reconstruction site.

"Currently, work is underway on two bridges over the Nara and Kapanka rivers, four overpasses, one of which is already open to traffic, and six pedestrian overpasses. Additionally, for the convenience of drivers, we are constructing a rest area at the 74th kilometer of the highway. Currently, specialists are busy landscaping it, installing traffic control equipment, and installing a sanitary module. The overall technical readiness of the site is 90%," explained Vyacheslav Petushenko.

The work involves 1,000 people and 380 pieces of specialized equipment. Completion of the reconstruction is scheduled for next year.

December 16, 2025

Financial news: 12/16/2025, 11:22 AM (Moscow time) the values of the upper limit of the price corridor and the range for assessing market risks for security RU000A0JT403 (VEB.RF 18) were changed.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Exchange – Moscow Exchange –

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

December 16, 2025

11:22

In accordance with the Methodology for determining the risk parameters of the stock market and deposit market of PJSC Moscow Exchange by the National Credit Center (JSC) on 16.12.2025, 11:22 (Moscow time), the values of the upper limit of the price corridor (up to 110.65) and the range of market risk assessment (up to 1183.67 rubles, equivalent to a rate of 8.75%) of the security RU000A0JT403 (VEB.RF 18) were changed.