Veniamin Kondratyev began his report with economic matters. During the ten years of his work as head of the Krasnodar Territory, its gross regional product has almost tripled, from 1.8 trillion rubles in 2015 to 5.5 trillion in 2024. The budget increased almost threefold, from 190 billion rubles in 2015 to 566 billion in 2024. Last year, 13.8 million tonnes of grain were harvested in the region, including 10.3 million tonnes of wheat, and the harvest this year is expected to be as big as last year. The seeds of wheat, rice and soybeans are 100 percent domestic. The territory holds first place in Russia in terms of market milk and second place in terms of raw milk and is among the country’s top five producers of fruit, vegetables, meat, eggs, and poultry.
The Governor said that they were especially proud of winemaking. Over the past five years, the area of vineyards has increased by 6,500 hectares, the growth of vine saplings has quadrupled, and the production of sparkling wines has increased by 2.5 times.
Replying to the President’s question about the social sphere – education, medicine, culture, and sports, Veniamin Kondratyev explained that their achievements are based, first of all, on national projects. Over the past seven years, 105 schools, 213 kindergartens and 148 rural paramedic centres and general practitioners’ officers have been built. A total of 176 big and small sports facilities were built in the territory, offering an opportunity to engage in sports to people of any age. The Governor specifically mentioned the sambo project. Sambo lessons are now obligatory at all schools in the territory, 525,000 schoolchildren take sambo lessons, and 9,500 of them are specialising in this sport. The construction of 44 martial arts centres will be completed this year, and all districts will have one such centre. The construction of a rhythmic gymnastics centre will begin this year.
Vladimir Putin pointed out that sambo was an inexpensive and affordable national sport, adding that the region’s authorities were also promoting football.
The President also noted that there were not enough ambulance teams in the territory and suggested that more attention be given to the development of the ambulance service and the repair of rural paramedic centres.
The Governor also said that a cutting-edge rehabilitation centre for special military operation participants will open next year. The facility, now under construction in a beautiful place near Krasnodar, with a 15-hectare park on a riverbank, will accommodate as many as 500 patients.
The President and the Governor also discussed plans for building roads and developing the regional industry. The industrial development fund currently has ten billion rubles. Last year, the Krasnodar Territory ranked third in Russia in terms of industrial policy development and industry in general. The volume of regional industrial output grew 2.5 times in the past decade, reaching 620 billion rubles at the end of 2024.
The health resort industry is of particular importance for the territory. Total investment in this sector increased 100 times in the past ten years, mostly in building hotels, Veniamin Kondratyev reported. Thirty new hotels opened in 2024 alone. Another 63 are under construction, with investments totalling 730 billion rubles. This will give the region an additional 33,000 four- and five-star rooms in the coming year. Vladimir Putin warned about the need to pay more attention to environmental issues when implementing construction projects this big, in particular, the need to install up-to-standard water and wastewater treatment facilities, especially on the seashore. Veniamin Kondratyev said that 17 treatment facilities are being designed on the coastline, and the construction of treatment facilities will involve practically every resort in the region. This acute problem is expected to be resolved in the foreseeable future.
Vladimir Putin mentioned the gubernatorial election to be held next September. The Governor said he would appreciate the President’s support and endorsement for his re-election bid. If he has this support, he will be ready to run for a new five-year term.
The President noted that the Krasnodar Territory is a very large and diverse region, which still faces many issues, but that a great deal has been accomplished in recent years. At the same time, he emphasised that it is very important to communicate directly with the people, especially before elections. The candidate needs direct contact with the voters to set clearer priorities for the forthcoming period and to understand what people expect and will expect from the region’s leadership so that any issues they have can be addressed as quickly and as efficiently as possible. He advised the Governor to step up this work during his election campaign.
On the whole, the President said, the Krasnodar Territory was making good progress and seeing growth, and he wished Veniamin Kondratyev further success.