Kirill Prigoda is the best athlete in St. Petersburg in 2025.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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St. Petersburg Governor Alexander Beglov awarded the city's best physical education and sports professionals. Among them were Kirill Prigoda, a record-holder and world champion swimmer, renowned Polytechnician, and assistant at the Higher School of Sports Education at the Institute of Physical Culture, Sport, and Tourism at St. Petersburg Polytechnic University. The awards ceremony for the distinguished coaches and athletes was traditionally held at Smolny.

The awards include the honorary title "Honored Worker of Physical Culture of St. Petersburg," the chest badge "For Merits in the Development of Physical Culture and Sports," and the honorary badge of the Government of St. Petersburg "Best in Sports of St. Petersburg" for 2025.

"It's a great honor for our city when its athletes compete successfully at various high-level venues. All of St. Petersburg is proud of you," noted Alexander Dmitrievich.

As Alexander Beglov emphasized, the city government will continue to make physical education and sports accessible to everyone, including creating conditions for the development of street sports.

In 2025, 12 people were awarded the St. Petersburg government's honorary badge "Best in Sports in St. Petersburg," including Kirill Prigoda.

Let us recall that the renowned swimmer recently became the athlete of the year according to the Russian Ministry of Sports innomination "Pride of Russia", and was also recognized as the best by the country's Water Sports Federation.

Kirill Prigoda is a ten-time world champion, two-time European champion, world and European record holder, and Honored Master of Sports of Russia. This year, at the World Short Course Swimming Championships in Budapest, Kirill won three gold medals in relays, one of which set a new world record, as well as three silver medals in individual events. In Singapore, he added a silver in the 50m breaststroke and two gold medals as part of the relay team.

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The Polytechnic Choir and Orchestra gave brilliant concerts in the White Hall

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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The concerts of the SPbPU Chamber Choir and Pop Symphony Orchestra served not only as a test of a full semester of rehearsals but also as proof that the Polytechnic University is a space where young people have great opportunities for creativity and growth.

When engineering students take the stage alongside professional artists, it's an extraordinary event. And we're not talking about amateur performances, but full-fledged programs that have become a fixture in the White Hall's repertoire.

First, the SPbPU Chamber Choir, under the direction of Alexandra Makarova, presented a large choral concert in two parts, dedicated to the 110th anniversary of the birth of the great Russian composer Georgy Sviridov. Following this, the Ingenium Pop and Symphony Orchestra, under the direction of Dmitry Misyura, presented a concert program entitled "Music of Game Worlds."

Polytechnic students, who sing in the choir, decided to celebrate the 110th anniversary of one of the most "choral" composers of the 20th century, Georgy Sviridov, by performing his music, imbued with love for the Motherland and humanity.

"The students enthusiastically and with remarkable dedication tackled complex works for a cappella choir and cantatas with instrumental accompaniment," notes the choir's director and conductor, Alexandra Makarova. "We were especially delighted to collaborate with the wonderful St. Petersburg musicians—soloists Maria Egorova and Boris Petrov—and to perform the cantata 'Snow is Falling' with the junior choir of the M. I. Glinka Choral School, an unforgettable and heartfelt performance."

The Polytechnic Orchestra, re-formed at the beginning of the academic year by first-year students, quickly prepared a new program and presented it to the public without delay. The orchestra's legendary game soundtracks were a treat for gamers and symphonic music enthusiasts.

"The idea for the program came about quite spontaneously. We tried out a soundtrack in the spring and it turned out great, so we decided to create a program featuring music from computer games," says the orchestra's conductor, Polytechnic University graduate Pavel Zhukov. "The guys started bringing music from their favorite games, and many of them are truly masterpieces! Complex rehearsals and the musicians' great passion allowed us to delight the audience and have a great time."

The White Hall featured music from the best-selling video games Syberia II, The Witcher 3, Super Mario Brothers, The Elder Scrolls III, Angry Birds, and World of Warcraft, all uniquely arranged by orchestra director Dmitry Misyura. These legendary soundtracks truly sounded like symphonic masterpieces.

The audience's interest in the Polytechnic University's performances exceeded all expectations—a full house, a warm welcome, and shouts of "bravo." The students deserved it. Combining an engineering education with a serious passion for music, they confirm the Polytechnic University's core tenet: "An engineer must think symphonically."

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.

Polytechnic students' success at the "Youth and the Future of Aviation and Cosmonautics" competition

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Peter the Great St. Petersburg Polytechnic University –

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The research team from the Higher School of Engineering and Economics of the Institute of Industrial Management, Economics, and Trade at SPbPU achieved significant success, taking third place in the finals of the 17th All-Russian Intersectoral Youth Competition for Scientific and Technical Works and Projects "Youth and the Future of Aviation and Cosmonautics."

The "Youth and the Future of Aviation and Astronautics" competition has a rich history. It was first held in 2009, and since 2014 has become an integral part of the international Aerospace Science Week program. Its distinguishing feature is its unique prize fund, which is funded by aerospace industry companies and amounts to at least 1,500,000 rubles. The goals include identifying promising innovative projects, building a professional community, and strengthening ties between science and industry.

This year, the competition aimed to comprehensively address several strategic objectives. The key goals of the event were to identify talented young people and promising research teams from young scientists, university specialists, and industrial enterprises, as well as to identify and support the most interesting and significant innovative projects. Furthermore, an important objective was to foster a youth-focused professional community for the active exchange of cutting-edge scientific approaches and technologies as a foundation for strengthening corporate ties between education, science, and the real economy.

The competition's scientific areas covered key segments of the aerospace industry.

Aviation Systems: Research in the design and operation of aircraft. Unmanned Systems and Technologies: Development of autonomous systems and intelligent solutions. Aircraft Engines and Power Plants: Modern engine and power supply concepts. Digital Technologies, Artificial Intelligence, and Robotics: Digitalization of processes and the creation of robotic systems. Rocket and Space Systems: Advanced developments for space exploration. Advanced Materials and New Manufacturing Technologies: Innovative materials and additive manufacturing for the aerospace industry.

The research project "Integration of Deep Learning and Stereo Vision Algorithms into the Architecture of an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle for Environmental Monitoring" was selected by an expert committee from among 221 applications and accepted for an in-person defense in Moscow. The research team presented a prototype of their development, demonstrating the operating principle of the analytical UAV. The project, developed by a research group led by VIES Associate Professor Evgeny Konnikov, was highly praised by experts in the "Unmanned Systems and Technologies" program. The research was led by Prokhor Polyakov, a first-year student in the "Automation of Statistical Decisions in Organizations" master's program, and Olesya Starchenkova, a VIES assistant and graduate of the "IT Economics and Business Analysis" program. The team from the Higher School of Engineering and Economics took third place in the finals of the 17th All-Russian Intersectoral Youth Competition of Scientific and Technical Projects "Youth and the Future of Aviation and Cosmonautics."

"The Watchman" is an analytical UAV based on a heavy FPV drone with a Raspberry Pi 5 and a stereo camera, designed for the automatic detection of trash and illegal dumping sites. It uses the YOLOv8 neural network, which recognizes waste in a video stream, estimates its distance using stereo vision, and records findings in reports along with coordinates and photos. The system operates in near real-time (≈5 fps) and provides up to 30 minutes of flight time, making it suitable for environmental monitoring, said Olesya Starchenkova, a member of the research team and assistant at VIES.

The key objective of the project is to improve the organizational and economic mechanism for environmental protection of the population within the regional economic system.

A total of 79 projects advanced to the finals. The defenses were held in person and included a presentation of the results to experts. The competition entries were evaluated based on a set of interrelated criteria: relevance of the topic, scientific novelty, depth of analysis of analogs, degree of elaboration of the solution, practical value of the project, and the authors' personal contribution. This multifaceted approach allowed the experts to objectively identify the most promising developments with the potential to make a significant contribution to the development of the aerospace industry.

The final round of the competition took place at the Moscow Aviation Institute. The program included in-person poster presentations, a scientific discussion with leading industry experts, and a roundtable discussion on "Identifying and Promoting Research and Development." A formal summing up of the results and the awards ceremony for the winners and laureates took place on the same day. The SPbPU team received special recognition for their work with diplomas from Progress Research and Production Company, a company that supplies enterprises with testing systems, including its own. Progress Research and Production Company collaborates with research institutes, large domestic companies, and industry leaders, which will significantly facilitate the expansion of the Polytechnic University team's activities.

Dmitry Rodionov, Director of the Higher School of Engineering and Economics, was invited to support the team in the second stage of the competition.

The finalists had a unique opportunity to present their developments to leading scientists and representatives of major companies in the aviation, rocket and space, and defense industries. The winners were awarded diplomas, cash prizes, and sponsor awards, as well as the opportunity to publish their work in leading peer-reviewed journals such as the Moscow Aviation Institute Bulletin and the MAI Transactions.

Dmitry Rodionov, Director of the Higher School of Engineering and Economics, emphasized the significance of the Polytechnic students' work: "Our team's victory in the all-Russian competition is not just a success, but a logical result of the systematic work of the Higher School of Engineering and Economics. We create an environment where talented students and young scientists can implement ambitious projects at the intersection of engineering, economics, and digital technologies. It is particularly valuable that our work on environmental monitoring using UAVs was highly praised by leading experts in the aerospace industry. This confirms the correctness of our chosen development direction and demonstrates the relevance of interdisciplinary research in solving today's pressing challenges."

The Polytech-Invest research laboratory, led by Evgeny Konnikov, specializes in investment consulting and the development of digital and technical solutions for businesses. The laboratory's uniqueness lies in its combination of practical consulting for industry and the development of advanced technologies, strengthening the university's ties to the real economy.

In addition to the competition program, the forum program included meetings with experienced industry specialists, roundtables and master classes, exhibitions, satellite competitions, and special programs for the youngest representatives—schoolchildren, for whom a separate scientific and competition program has been organized for several years.

The successful performance of the VIESH team in the final of such a high-level event demonstrated the high quality of scientific research conducted within the walls of the Higher School of Engineering and Economics and its growing authority in the country's scientific and technical community.

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.

Sobyanin: The Defense Ministry's air defense forces destroyed another UAV flying toward Moscow.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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The Ministry of Defense's air defense forces destroyed another UAV flying toward Moscow. This was reported on its channel inMAX messenger Sergei Sobyanin reported.

"Emergency services are working at the site of the fallen debris," the Moscow Mayor wrote.

Source: Sergei Sobyanin's channel inMAX messenger

Earlier, the Mayor of Moscow stated that the air defense system successfully repelled the attack. two drones heading towards the capital.

Subscribe to Sergei Sobyanin's official channels on messengers MAX AndTelegram.

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.

On December 16, 2025, "Shurik's Incredible Adventures" topped the Russian box office last weekend.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

The musical comedy topped the Russian box office for December 11-14, grossing 121.8 million rubles*. The film was distributed by Central Partnership (part of Gazprom-Media Holding).

"We made this film from the start with a wide release in mind. We understood that transferring television success to cinema isn't an automatic process. Ticket sales can't be 'transferred' from ratings; they have to be earned. So we didn't create a television special, but a full-fledged cinematic event—with a strong cast, large-scale musical numbers, our signature humor, and a sense of impending celebration."

Tina Kandelaki, Deputy General Director of Gazprom-Media Holding, Director of the TNT TV channel

The plot centers on the incredible love story of Shurik and Nina, transporting viewers into a kaleidoscope of Soviet and world cinema. The leading roles are played by Timur Batrutdinov, Marina Kravets, and Garik Martirosyan. This is a continuation of TNT's New Year's tradition: the channel previously aired parodies "The Self-Irony of Fate," "Ivan Vasilyevich Changes Everything!" and "The Undiamond Arm," combining nostalgia with modern humor.

The film's television premiere on TNT is December 31.

*Data from the Unified Automated Information System (EAIS)

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.

The capital's reservoirs have switched to winter operating mode.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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Specialists urban economy complex Moscow's reservoirs have been switched to winter operating mode. This was announced by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing, Utilities, and Public Works. Petr Biryukov.

"All 15 reservoirs of the Moskvoretsko-Vazuzskaya and Volzhskaya water systems, which supply the capital with water, have been switched to winter operation. Hydraulic engineering staff have increased their drawdown rates to create additional available capacity. This is necessary to successfully manage the floods and high waters next spring," noted Pyotr Biryukov.

A set of preparatory measures will allow for the collection of all meltwater from territories covering a total area of 50,000 square kilometers, as well as the prevention of flooding in non-floodplain areas.

Currently, the stable operation of hydraulic structures guarantees a reliable water supply to the capital, which consumes approximately three million cubic meters of water daily. Its quality is carefully monitored at every stage of its journey to the consumer: specialists analyze 200 physical, chemical, and biological parameters.

During the winter, hydroelectric power station staff regularly conduct snow surveys. This allows them to predict the extent of future floods and, if necessary, adjust the operation of hydraulic structures.

Get the latest news quickly on official Moscow messaging channels. MAX And Telegram.

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.

RN-Vankor increases energy capacity at the Tagulskoye field

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

RN-Vankor (part of Rosneft's oil production complex) launched the Tagul 110/35/10 kV substation with a capacity of 2×63 MVA. It will ensure reliable power supply to facilities at the Tagulskoye field, part of the Vankor cluster.

Energy is supplied to Tagul from the 150 MW Polyarnaya gas turbine power plant at the Vankor field. A 110 kV transmission line over 70 km long has been built to connect the power plant to the Tagul substation.

Construction of the substation was expedited by installing prefabricated structures. The building houses power transformers, 35 and 10 kV indoor switchgear, and a control room.

The domestic design solutions used at the Tagul substation have been proven by the successful operation of the Vankor power complex in the Far North. The switchgear circuit remains operational even if individual components fail, increasing the overall reliability of the power supply to the oil field's production facilities.

Tagul is the eighth 110 kV substation in the Vankor field cluster. Two more similar substations are in the final stages of installation. The total length of overhead power lines already exceeds 1,900 km. The largest substation, Vankor, with a capacity of 250 MVA, connects the Vankor power district to the country's Unified Energy System.

Department of Information and Advertising of PJSC NK Rosneft December 16, 2025

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Students from St. Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering (SPbGASU) have received scholarships from the President and Government of the Russian Federation.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Saint Petersburg State University of Architecture and Civil Engineering –

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Students from SPbGASU were among those awarded scholarships from the President of the Russian Federation and the Government of the Russian Federation for the 2025/2026 academic year.

Ivan Beshentsev, a fourth-year student at the Faculty of Automobile and Road Engineering, became a recipient of the Presidential Scholarship.

Russian Government scholarships were awarded to fourth-year students of the Faculty of Forensic Expertise and Law in Construction and Transport Anna Andreeva and Denis Astapov, fifth-year student of the Faculty of Automobile and Road Construction Evgeny Anufriev, and students of the Faculty of Civil Engineering Ekaterina Buryak (fourth year), Zlata Zolotykh (fifth year), and Oleg Yatskovets (sixth year).

Congratulations to the winners!

The scholarship recipients will be honored on December 16 at ITMO National Research University. Representatives of the Presidential Administration, the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia, regional government bodies, and heads of higher education institutions will attend the event.

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.

China's Foreign Ministry: Japan continues to mislead the public on the Taiwan issue

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: People's Republic of China in Russian – People's Republic of China in Russian –

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Source: People's Republic of China – State Council News

Beijing, December 16 (Xinhua) — Judging by a series of recent statements, Japan continues to maintain ambiguity and ambiguity on critical issues related to Taiwan, thereby attempting to mislead the public and fostering the illusion that it can get away with it, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun said on Tuesday.

“China is categorically opposed to this,” he said at a regular departmental press conference. -0-

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Moscow entrepreneurs will be able to study aspects of the 2026 tax reform with the support of MBM.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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The State Budgetary Institution "Small Business of Moscow" (MBM) is launching a series of events, including consultations, for Moscow entrepreneurs who will be affected by tax reform next year. To ease the transition, businesses are offered a package of solutions that will transform a complex task into a step-by-step and understandable process. A special thematic section has been created on the portal. mbm.mos.ru, a dedicated consultation line was organized and a series of free, practice-oriented events was developed.

Special Project "Tax Reform 2026"

The MBM portal has created special section, which contains all the latest information on tax reform. The materials are presented in simple and accessible language, allowing you to independently explore the new changes. For quick navigation, there's a convenient filter by tax system, as well as a detailed analysis of key changes in insurance premiums.

Additionally, this section includes useful services and tools that will simplify adaptation to tax reform and help optimize business processes. These include "Business Calculators," "Tax Regime Selection," "Patent Taxation System," and "Simplified Tax Return Preparation," as well as "Business Boxes" and "Business Market," which provide access to leading accounting and tax services on free and preferential terms.

Consulting support

Entrepreneurs can contact a dedicated hotline for individual questions. MBM consultants are ready to provide clarification on a wide range of issues, including changes to the simplified tax system (STS), the patent tax system, value-added tax (VAT), insurance premiums, as well as tax and fee payment and reporting procedures. The hotline number is 7 495 276-24-18.

Free training

A series of events will help companies understand how tax rules will change and adapt smoothly to these innovations. One of the key events is a meeting "Tax Reform 2026: Practical Tools and Algorithms for Business", which will take place on December 17. Participants will receive clarifications and recommendations on working under the new conditions. The main topics of the meeting include a detailed analysis of the reform's impact on business, choosing optimal simplified tax system rates as revenues increase, changes to insurance contributions, and the advantages of the automated simplified tax system. VAT-related issues will also be discussed, including practical aspects of preparing for the introduction of this tax and the conditions for receiving benefits.

The event will take place from 2:00 PM to 4:30 PM at the Central Administrative District Prefecture at 24 Marxistskaya Street. To participate, you must registration on the portal mbm.mos.ru.

Additionally, a distance learning mini-course, "Transition to VAT: Instructions for Use," will be released in December. It will provide practical guidance on key aspects of working in this new regime for entrepreneurs—from drafting contracts with VAT and updating cash registers to correctly calculating taxes and filing reports.

Support for entrepreneurs is provided within the framework of the federal project “Small and Medium Entrepreneurship and Support for Individual Entrepreneurial Initiatives,” which is part of the national project "Efficient and competitive economy", as well as the Moscow Mayor's strategy for supporting Moscow entrepreneurship. More information about Russia's national projects and the capital's contribution can be found atspecial page.

State Budgetary Institution "Small Business of Moscow", subordinate to the capital's Department of Entrepreneurship and Innovative Development, helps city residents start and grow their own businesses. At business service centers, everyone can learn about financial and non-financial government support measures.

Free educational and business events are held for entrepreneurs: forums, seminars, training sessions, and conferences that help them improve their professional skills and connect with like-minded individuals.

Knowledge for Growth: How Moscow Helps Businesses Reach New LevelsFrom neighborhood analysis to a specific address: how MBM helps entrepreneurs find premisesMoscow entrepreneurs will be taught effective marketing and client management.

Get the latest news quickly on official Moscow messaging channels. MAX And Telegram.

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.