Yevgeny Solntsev reported on the region’s performance and achievements in 2025. A record harvest was gathered: 4,177,000 tonnes of grain. The region ranks first in Russia for durum wheat production, with 560,000 tonnes harvested, and second for sunflower seeds, yielding 1,880,000 tonnes. It also holds third place for the procurement of agricultural machinery. One of the largest and the most modern in Russia seed-processing plants has been built, with a capacity of 660,000 tonnes per year.
Additionally, the region accounts for 40 percent of Russia’s cast iron exports, ranks fifth for oil extraction, and sixth for gas production. Investments totalling 246 billion rubles were raised, an increase of 29 billion rubles compared to the previous year. The Orenburzhye special economic zone has been established, with 25 resident companies and projects worth 65 billion rubles underway. These include major logistics warehouses, petrochemical facilities, and an agricultural cluster. This year, a further 500 hectares were allocated to create the Pobeda (Victory) technology park.
The Governor spoke about support for participants in the special military operation, with a total of 63 support measures currently in place. The most popular among these are rehabilitation, adaptation to civilian life, housing purchase subsidies, and gasification. A notable initiative is the reservation of jobs. Assistance is also provided for starting businesses. The Defenders of the Fatherland Foundation is operational, and a prosthetics centre will be upgraded. The Heroes of Orenburzhye regional programme is active, mirroring the Time of Heroes federal programme.
Yevgeny Solntsev also discussed work with youth, including the hosting of the 10th Eurasia Global international youth forum in 2025, which saw participation from 53 countries and 82 regions of Russia. Plans are underway to create a campus that will cover all specialties and industries present in the region. The President underscored the importance of direct links between first-year students and future employers. The Governor asked for support with upgrading infrastructure of Orenburg State University, specifically the renovation of four dormitories.
The Governor also reported on the implementation of the President’s instructions on monitoring the situation after the 2024 spring flooding, which affected 311,000 people. He said that the planned work had been completed and that 51 social facilities had been repaired. The construction of two hospital blocks and seven recreation camps is due to be completed this year. Work is underway to resolve the issue with the pumping station. A settlement of 294 homes and a 12-storey residential block with 382 apartments have been built. However, the region needs support to build a 25-km dam, a project that costs 28.2 billion rubles. According to the Governor, this calls for a targeted programme. The President asked about the required height of the dam and suggested discussing the issue separately.
The discussion also touched upon healthcare. The number of cardiovascular, cancer, tuberculosis and respiratory system diseases and infant mortality are decreasing in the region. Unfortunately, there is a shortage of medical personnel. Graduates of Orenburg State Medical University, which is a good school, often move to neighbouring regions. Yevgeny Solntsev also reported on the support programme for large families. There are 32,100 such families in the region, and the number is growing.
The Governor also mentioned the long-standing problem of public transport. The transport fleet is being upgraded, with new buses bought regularly and plans to modernise the trolleybus fleet. He also spoke about plans to build a four-lane bypass road around Orenburg, which includes an access road to a checkpoint on the border with Kazakhstan. The checkpoint will also be modernised. Yevgeny Solntsev raised the issue of a railway corridor with access to Central Asia, China and the Khorgos checkpoint on the Kazakhstan-China border. The Governor recalled that Orenburg has always been a gateway between Europe and Asia and asked the President for support in implementing that project. Vladimir Putin promised to discuss that issue with Transport Minister Andrei Nikitin.
In conclusion of their discussion of economic matters, the President noted the issue of industrial waste and the numerous unauthorised dumpsites in the region. Yevgeny Solntsev said that the construction of a plant with a capacity to recycle 300,000 tonnes of waste annually has begun this year, and the necessary equipment has already been purchased.