Fast, simple, secure: why passengers are increasingly paying for rides using biometrics

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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Biometrics is the fastest and most convenient way to pay for public transportation. Currently, it is used by approximately 700,000 people. More than 1.2 million passes are made using biometrics on public transportation each week. Since its launch, the service has been used over 185 million times. This was announced by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry. Maxim Liksutov.

"The biometric fare payment service was launched at all metro stations in 2021, following Sergei Sobyanin's instructions. Today, passengers make approximately 200,000 trips per weekday using facial recognition, and this number is steadily growing. I was one of the first users of the system and recommend everyone to join and try it. Our development complies with the most stringent requirements of Russian legislation. All user data is encrypted and protected, and payment information is stored exclusively on the bank's side," noted Maxim Liksutov.

The modern biometric payment service operates at all metro and Moscow Central Circle turnstiles, regular river electric transport, Aeroexpress train routes, and some Moscow Central Diameters stations (Nakhabino, Three Stations Square, Likhobory, and Zelenograd-Kryukovo).

Biometric payment is secure, convenient, and affordable: a single metro ride costs just 63 rubles. Furthermore, passengers don't need cards or wallets to pass through the turnstile. A single glance at the camera is all it takes, and the gate opens.

Data is under reliable protection

Fraudsters won't be able to access other people's biometric data. It's securely encrypted and stored on protected servers within the metro's closed network. The entire system complies with the strictest legal requirements. The service boasts banking-level security.

But even if scammers get their hands on the information on the servers, it will be useless, as they store anonymous, encrypted biometric keys.

There's a myth that someone else can apply for a loan using a passenger's biometric data. This isn't true. Biometrics in public transport are used to authenticate passengers and conduct microtransactions, such as fare payment. A different type of biometrics is required to apply for a loan. This type is suitable for user identification and complex financial transactions.

The biometric vector stored on the metro's servers is a string of characters that cannot be decoded back into a facial image. The payment data for biometric users on public transport is stored exclusively by the bank. Therefore, the passenger's funds and identity are completely secure.

Optimal identification

Biometric payment cannot be performed using a photograph—the turnstile simply won't open. The service uses Liveness technology. A neural network distinguishes a living person, their facial expressions, and even the slightest movements from images or videos on a phone.

Another fact: glasses, hair, and a mask do not interfere with biometric scanning. At least 40 percent of the face must be exposed for recognition. However, it is recommended to expose the entire face—this will allow the system to more quickly recognize the user and allow them through the turnstile.

How to use the service

You can enable biometric payment in three simple steps. Download the app. Moscow Metro, upload a high-quality photo of your face, and link a bank card with a positive balance to the service. All data will be uploaded to the system within a few hours (usually within 15-20 minutes).

Additionally, you should pay attention to the quality of the photo uploaded to the system. The higher the quality, the easier it will be for the system to recognize your face.

The turnstile doors open in about one second. For the biometric system to work as quickly as possible, stand on the black circle in front of the turnstile, look at the camera, and smile. This way, the system immediately recognizes that you are a real person. Nowhere in the world has this service been implemented on such a scale and with such convenience for passengers as in the capital. Biometric payment is a Russian development and the property of the Moscow Government.

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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.

Roadmap: State University of Management's transport workers upgrade their skills with FSUE NAMI

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Official website of the State –

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Staff and faculty from the State University of Management completed a professional development course aimed at training personnel for the innovative transportation industry. Rinat Kurmaev, Director of the Scientific and Educational Center of the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "NAMI," presented the SUM representatives with certificates of completion at a ceremony held at the Special-Purpose Garage Museum at VDNKh.

Dynamics of mobility

As part of the collaboration between the State University of Management and the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "NAMI," lecturers from the Department of Logistics and Transport-Technological Systems, as well as young scientists from our university, completed training during the fall semester at the Educational and Methodological Center for the Training of Engineering Personnel for the Innovative Transport Industry "Dynamics of Mobility" (EMC), created under an agreement between the Federal State Unitary Enterprise "NAMI" and the Ministry of Science and Higher Education of Russia.

The program included an introduction to modern trends in transportation engineering and practical aspects of working in this field, including during an international industry internship in Beijing.

Participants had the opportunity to visit leading Russian automobile manufacturers, such as MAZ Moskvich, Haval RUS, and FSUE NAMI itself. Tours of these plants allowed instructors to gain valuable insights into production processes and modern technologies.

The program's lecturers were leading scientists and practitioners with real-world experience in the production of modern automotive technology. Their master classes helped participants deepen their knowledge and prepare for new challenges in the transportation sector.

Joint educational programs

The agreement between SUM and FSUE NAMI provides for the development and improvement of educational programs. Specifically, starting in 2024–2025, a joint master's program in "Organization of Production in the Automotive Industry" will be implemented. SUM's classic programs have also been updated: the first bachelor's program in Russia, "Logistics and Supply Chain Management," and the master's program, "Transport and Logistics," which are currently attended by several hundred SUM students.

Subscribe to the "Our GUU" Telegram channel. Publication date: December 11, 2025.

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 heavy-lift UAV, Jiutian, completed its maiden flight.

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, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) — China's self-developed heavy-lift unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) Jiutian made its maiden flight on Thursday, according to the Aviation Industry Corporation of China (AVIC), which is in charge of the project.

The UAV, whose length and wingspan are 16.35 meters and 25 meters, respectively, flew in Pucheng County, Weinan City, Shaanxi Province, Northwest China.

The drone's maximum takeoff weight is 16 tons, and its payload capacity is 6,000 kg. It has an endurance of up to 12 hours, and a flight range of 7,000 km.

With its powerful payload capacity, high maximum flight altitude, wide speed range, and short takeoff and landing capabilities, the UAV is designed to perform a variety of civilian tasks.

UAVs can be used to perform a wide variety of tasks, including the precise delivery of heavy cargo in remote areas, restoring emergency communications, providing disaster relief, and providing services in the field of geographic surveying, disaster assessment, and mineral exploration. -0-

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The environmental condition of the coastal marine waters of Hainan Island remains favorable – report

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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

Sanya, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) — The ecological condition of coastal marine areas on Hainan Island (South China) remains generally favorable, with seawater quality indicators consistently among the best in China, and the level of biodiversity remains quite high, according to an official report.

The report "On the Protection and Sustainable Development of Marine Ecosystems in Hainan Free Trade Port" was released by the South China Sea Administration of the Ministry of Natural Resources of the People's Republic of China on Wednesday. It summarized and outlined the results achieved in this area.

The document cites, in particular, data from continuous monitoring of water quality, marine sediment status, and marine biodiversity off the coast of Hainan Island obtained between 2020 and 2024, as well as monitoring data from areas home to the seven most typical marine ecosystems in the area. These data allowed for a systematic analysis of the ecological status of the island's coastal marine waters.

The report was presented at the 6th Forum on Global Maritime Cooperation and Governance, which opened on Wednesday in Sanya, Hainan Province.

The event brought together over 300 participants from more than 30 countries and regions, including experts, scientists, officials, diplomats, and representatives of international organizations.

The two-day forum will include discussions on topics such as building a stable and sustainable global maritime governance system, resolving maritime disputes, and maintaining peace in the South China Sea. -0-

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In the first 11 months, trade turnover between Guangdong Province and countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative grew by 4.9 percent.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

BEIJING, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) — South China's Guangdong Province's trade turnover with countries participating in the Belt and Road Initiative increased by 4.9 percent year-on-year to 3.32 trillion yuan (about 470 billion U.S. dollars) in January-November 2025, the Zhongxinwang news website reported.

According to local customs data, Guangdong Province's foreign trade turnover during the same period amounted to 8.61 trillion yuan, an increase of 4.2 percent compared to the same period last year. Of this, exports increased by 2.1 percent year-on-year to 5.5 trillion yuan, while imports increased by 8 percent to 3.11 trillion yuan.

Based on the results of the first 11 months of this year, ASEAN was Guangdong Province's largest trading partner, and the province's trade turnover with the Middle East, Africa, and five Central Asian countries increased by 7.8 percent, 10.4 percent, and 26 percent, respectively, year-on-year.

From January to November, the foreign trade turnover of non-state-owned enterprises and foreign-invested enterprises in Guangdong Province amounted to 5.49 trillion yuan and 2.76 trillion yuan, respectively, showing a year-on-year increase of 4.4 percent and 6.7 percent.

In the first 11 months of the year, Guangdong Province exported 3.77 trillion yuan worth of electromechanical products, up 7 percent year-on-year, accounting for 68.5 percent of the province's total exports. Regarding imports, from January to November, Guangdong Province's integrated circuit imports increased 15.6 percent year-on-year to 1.17 trillion yuan, accounting for 37.5 percent of the province's total imports. -0-

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China's Vice Premier called on the IMF to deepen cooperation with China.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

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

An important disclaimer is at the bottom of this article.

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

BEIJING, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) — Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng said he hopes the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will further deepen its cooperation with China, continue to exert positive influence and support on the multilateral trading system, and inject new impetus into the economic development of both China and the world.

He Lifeng, who is also a member of the Politburo of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC Central Committee), made the statement on Wednesday in Beijing during a meeting with IMF Managing Director Kristalina Georgieva.

The Chinese economy, He Lifeng stated, has maintained robust growth momentum since the beginning of this year. The country is confident and capable of sustaining sustainable and healthy economic growth.

K. Georgieva noted that the IMF highly values China's contribution to the global economy and thanks it for its comprehensive support in establishing the IMF Shanghai Center, which officially opened on Monday.

The IMF is ready to continue strengthening cooperation with China, K. Georgieva indicated. -0-

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.

Sergei Sobyanin: Moscow will continue financial support for industry in 2026.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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Thanks to financial support measures, Moscow enterprises have attracted approximately 300 billion rubles for production development. Sergei Sobyanin announced this on his channel in MAX messenger.

"For four years of action

interest compensation programs for investment loans Moscow Foundation for the Support of Industry and Entrepreneurship "The project has provided assistance to more than 170 companies. The funds have been used to purchase over 1,600 units of equipment, more than 2.6 million square meters of production space are under construction, and approximately 50,000 new high-paying jobs will be created by 2030," noted Sergei Sobyanin.

Source: Moscow Mayor's channel MAX messenger 

Sergei Sobyanin has instructed that a comprehensive package of financial support measures for industrial enterprises operating in sectors vital to the city's economy will continue in 2026. Furthermore, the Moscow Fund for the Support of Industry and Entrepreneurship will begin implementing a financial support program for the development of a network of electric vehicle charging stations.

Compensation of interest rates on loans for industry

The Moscow Government approved a program to compensate interest on investment loans for Moscow industry in 2022.

Companies can use the funds received under this program to purchase new equipment, build production infrastructure, and implement high-tech projects, as well as to acquire rights to intellectual property.

To participate in the program, businesses must sign a loan agreement and then apply to the Moscow Fund for Support of Industry and Entrepreneurship. If the application is approved, a financial support agreement is signed to offset a portion of the loan interest costs. Afterward, depending on the interest deduction period, the necessary funds are transferred to the companies' accounts at the banks where the loan is issued.

In 2025, the maximum investment loan amount was increased from three to five billion rubles, and the term was increased from three to five years. Interest rate compensation for investment loans raised for production development is 50 percent of the Bank of Russia's key rate.

Over the four years of the program's implementation, Moscow companies have attracted approximately 300 billion rubles in investment loans, approximately 80 percent of which went toward the construction of industrial infrastructure. The remaining 20 percent was invested in purchasing new equipment and acquiring intellectual property rights (such as industrial automation solutions), as well as connecting industrial facilities to city grids.

To date, over 184,000 square meters of industrial space has already been built. These include a furniture manufacturing complex owned by Felix, with an area of over 13,000 square meters (1st Kraskovsky Proezd, Building 38a); a plant producing aerated concrete blocks owned by Tetradom LLC, with an area of over 21,000 square meters (Zelenograd, 5500th Proezd, Land Plot No. 4/2); and an industrial complex for the production of radiation monitoring equipment owned by Doza LLC, with an area of 13,000 square meters (Zelenograd, Akademika Valieva Street, Building 4).

In addition, a pharmaceutical manufacturing plant, Velpharm-M, with an area of over 33,700 square meters, and a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility, R-Opra, with an area of approximately 30,600 square meters, were built at the Alabushevo site of the Technopolis Moscow special economic zone.

A production complex for the manufacture of automotive components, Alpha Automative Technologies LLC, with an area of 36.5 thousand square meters (Stupinsky proezd, building 2), and a fruit ripening enterprise, Speleye Frukty LLC, with an area of 25 thousand square meters (Vnukovo, quarter 63, building 1b, building 8), were opened.

Projects implemented with the support of the fund

In 2025, with the support of the Moscow Fund for the Support of Industry and Entrepreneurship, 18 industrial projects will continue to be implemented. These projects will create over 2,300 jobs.

Among the projects supported by the fund:

— construction of a robotic plant for the production of ultra-large residential modules in the Vnukovo area (Technopolis Moscow SEZ, Tolstopaltsevo site);

— launch of the radio electronics production facility Neoros LLC with a focus on the production of next-generation optoelectronic devices (Technopolis Moscow SEZ, Pechatniki site);

— creation of the production complex of S.P. Gelpik LLC, where stands for X-ray diagnostic equipment will be produced;

— launch of new production lines of Parus Electro LLC for the manufacture of automation systems, switchgear for power plants, products for data centers and renewable energy;

— technical re-equipment of the production of educational equipment by Neks-T LLC (Technopolis Moscow SEZ, Pechatniki site);

— purchase and commissioning of high-tech equipment to increase the production capacity of bakery products at the Cheryomushki confectionery and bakery plant;

— acquisition of new equipment and localization of production of spices and tea by Ekom Company LLC (Senkino industrial technology park);

— purchase of equipment for the production of automotive electronics by NPP Itelma, including a universal body electronics unit, an ERA-GLONASS unit, and an engine management system controller;

— modernization of the production of food products from meat and poultry at the Rublevsky meat processing plant;

— establishment of production of printed circuit boards for computer equipment LLC "Intekhpro";

— establishment of production of medical compression products LLC “Elastic Technologies”;

— launch of an automatic production line for electronic components for telecommunications equipment of Exara LLC.

Furthermore, with the foundation's support, Plasma-Next, a resident of the Technopolis Moscow Special Economic Zone, raised funds for the construction of a high-tech facility to produce human plasma-derived products, including albumin and immunoglobulin. These products are used to treat patients with chronic diseases and during surgical interventions.

Another resident of the Technopolis Moscow SEZ, Artsellens, will use city-funded construction to build a facility to produce biosimilar drugs for the treatment of cancer and autoimmune diseases.

The Svoboda factory, a cosmetics manufacturer, has secured investment to complete construction of an industrial complex covering over 23,500 square meters in northeast Moscow. The facility will produce up to 400 cosmetics. Meanwhile, integrated circuit manufacturer Mikron JSC is completing construction of its own boiler plant to provide Category I heat for its microelectronics production facility. As a result, three boilers with a total capacity of 18 megawatts will be commissioned in early 2026.

Industrial equipment leasing

With the help of the Moscow Fund for Support of Industry and Entrepreneurship, Moscow-based manufacturers can offset part of their industrial equipment leasing costs. Small and medium-sized businesses modernizing their production or developing new products are eligible for the program. The city provides support for three years, with a maximum amount of 300 million rubles. Companies are then required to purchase the equipment acquired under the lease agreement.

Since the program's launch, 16 companies have received equipment leasing assistance, raising nearly 2.2 billion rubles.

Development of sports infrastructure

Starting in July 2024, investors developing sports infrastructure will be able to take advantage of the financial support program. These projects include football arenas, indoor skating rinks and tennis courts, swimming pools, sports complexes with multi-purpose halls, and other sports and fitness facilities. The interest rate on investment loans for the construction of sports facilities will be three percent, with a maximum loan size of 500 million rubles and a term of up to three years.

Since the program's inception, investors developing sports infrastructure have raised over five billion rubles. Ten sports facilities, with a total area of over 110,000 square meters, have already been commissioned. Nine more, with a total area of over 60,000 square meters, are under construction.

Development of a charging network for electric vehicles

Starting in 2026, private investors will be able to receive compensation for up to 50 percent of the costs of connecting electric vehicle charging stations to the city grid through the Moscow Fund for Support of Industry and Entrepreneurship, up to a maximum of two million rubles per charging station.

With the city's support, private investors are expected to install at least 685 fast charging stations in 2026–2027.

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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.

An exhibition of Moscow's best construction projects has opened in the escalator gallery of the Vorobyovy Gory station.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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In December, an exhibition dedicated to the winners of the "Best Completed Construction Project" competition opened in the escalator gallery on Vorobyovy Gory. The exhibition will be on display from December 11th to 25th, according to the Moscow Government Minister and Head of the Moscow Department of Urban Development Policy. Vladislav Ovchinsky.

"The winners of the annual 'Best Completed Construction Project' competition are projects that contribute to the creation of a comfortable urban environment and improve the quality of life for Moscow residents, as well as stimulate the development of new technologies and the implementation of modern architectural solutions. The exhibition at the Vorobyovy Gory station will feature photographs and key information about Moscow's most significant construction projects, recognized by the jury in the 26th season of the competition, the results of which were announced in August 2025," said Vladislav Ovchinsky.

This year's best projects included the Tretyakov Gallery building on Kadashevskaya Embankment, the Polyarny cultural and leisure center on Polyarnaya Street, the Luzhniki Tennis Palace, and the bicycle and pedestrian bridge over the Nagatinsky Backwater. Project of the Year honors included eight new metro stations: Novatorskaya, Universitet Druzhby Narodov, Generala Tyuleneva, Tyutchevskaya, Kornilovskaya, Kommunarka, and Novomoskovskaya on the Troitskaya Line, and Potapovo on the Sokolnicheskaya Line.

"The Moscow Metro is constantly evolving. Last year, under the leadership of Sergei Sobyanin, the first stations of the Troitskaya Line opened. Transportation, industry, and urban development are improving life in the capital and shaping its modern appearance. We've showcased all of this in a new photo exhibition in the metro. We've placed the exhibition in the escalator gallery of the Vorobyovy Gory station; this will be the ninth exhibition here in 2025. We invite Muscovites and visitors to see it," noted the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Transport and Industry.

Maxim Liksutov.

The "Best Completed Construction Project" competition has been held since 2000. This unique event in the construction industry aims to select the best projects built in Moscow in the past year.

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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 Pushkin Theatre has been decorated with new architectural and artistic lighting.

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Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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Specialists urban economy complex The building of the A.S. Pushkin Moscow Drama Theater on Tverskoy Boulevard has been equipped with new architectural and artistic lighting. This was announced by the Deputy Mayor of Moscow for Housing, Utilities, and Public Works. Petr Biryukov.

"We developed a special lighting design for the historic building, which is a federal cultural heritage site. The main goal was to highlight the unique elements of the façade and highlight the theater posters. Power engineers installed nearly 40 lighting fixtures with a total output of 2.3 kilowatts," said Pyotr Biryukov.

For the theater's architectural lighting, linear luminaires, spotlights with neutral white LEDs, and flexible luminaires with colored LEDs were used. The lighting can operate in two modes: everyday and festive.

In accordance with the adopted concept, all new lighting in the capital is warm or neutral white and moderately lit. This allows for the careful accentuation of building details and elements, creating a unified lighting space.

Over the past 13 years, Moscow's lighting levels have doubled, and the number of buildings with architectural and artistic lighting has quadrupled. In total, the capital is now illuminated by over one million lamps, with energy consumption reduced thanks to the use of energy-efficient LEDs.

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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.

Hand-to-hand combat competitions will be held in the capital.

Translation. Region: Russian Federation –

Source: Moscow Government – Moscow Government –

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Muscovites will be able to watch the World Hand-to-Hand Combat Championship fights on December 12. The event will be held with the support of Department of Sports the city of Moscow.

The World Open Weight Hand-to-Hand Combat Championship will be held in Moscow for the fourth time. The competition will take place on December 12 at the Dynamo Volleyball Arena (13 Vasilisy Kozhina Street). Spectators will see duel competitions—full-contact combat involving punches and kicks, various throws, painful holds, and chokes.

The World Championship will feature men in the 73 kilogram and above weight categories, as well as women in the over 58 kilogram weight category.

The competition will last all day. Preliminary rounds will begin at 10:00 AM, and the official opening ceremony, featuring a cello duo and dancers, will take place at 7:00 PM. A flag parade will also take place. Spectators will be able to watch the semifinals at 7:30 PM, and the final rounds and awards ceremony will begin at 8:40 PM.

Admission is free for spectators. More information on the website.

Free sports games for families will begin as part of Winter in Moscow.Muscovites can practice kickboxing at sports schools and complexes in the capital.

Get the latest news quickly on official Moscow messaging channels. 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.