MOSCOW (Realist English). President Vladimir Putin held a meeting on the socio-economic development of Donbas and Novorossiya.
The focus was on integrating the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, as well as the Zaporozhye and Kherson regions, into a single legal, economic and cultural space. By 2030, the new regions must achieve Russian-wide standards of quality of life.
Scope of Reconstruction: Facts and Figures
Since 2023, when the comprehensive development programme was approved, more than 25,000 facilities have been restored or built from scratch on these territories. Among them are schools, hospitals, clinics, sports grounds, residential buildings, energy and housing and utilities infrastructure. About 1 million square metres of housing have been commissioned, and nearly 260 industrial enterprises have been restarted.
Special attention is being paid to road infrastructure: over 8,000 km of roads have been repaired or laid, including sections of the Azov Ring highway, which will connect the Azov region and improve transport accessibility.
Restored:
- 7,700 apartment buildings (24 million sq. m)
- 263 healthcare facilities
- 1,700 educational facilities (universities, schools, kindergartens)
- 500 cultural, sports and social service facilities
Economy and Investment
The free economic zone (FEZ) already has more than 500 participants with declared investments totalling 383 billion rubles. The loan portfolio of banks in the new regions has grown to 275 billion rubles, with a 30% increase since the beginning of 2026.
Tax revenues for 2025 amounted to 435 billion rubles, up 22% from 2024. For the current year, growth of between 10% and 20% is expected across various sectors.
Housing and Utilities Infrastructure
For the first time in Donbas and Novorossiya, a programme of major repairs for apartment buildings and lift replacement has been launched. 26 master plans for the development of settlements have been drawn up; another 75 will be ready by 2030.
The water supply problem remains acute. In Mariupol, daily water supply has been restored. Work continues to reduce losses and replace networks.
Social Sphere and Healthcare
Federal support measures now cover 2.4 million residents of the historic regions. Pensions have been granted to more than 1.5 million people (93% of them at federal standards). Since July 1, 2025, work performed on Ukrainian territory is included in the insurance record; recalculations have already been made for 27,000 citizens.
Nearly 140,000 maternity capital certificates have been issued. The single benefit covers 36,000 families (56,000 children).
A three‑tier healthcare system has been established. Eleven regional vascular centres are operating. The volume of high‑tech medical care has grown from 4,300 patients in 2023 to 12,000 in 2025.
Five oncology centres have been equipped; in Melitopol, a linear accelerator for radiation therapy has been launched. Every year, more than 1.9 million adults and 530,000 children undergo preventive check‑ups and medical examinations.
Emergency medical services: 297 teams, 2,300 workers. At the president’s instruction, armoured ambulances are being purchased (33 vehicles in 2025, another 31 in 2026).
Transport and Public Communications
The target of bringing 85% of public transport in the new regions up to standard has been achieved. Buses are being actively supplied; the shortage of drivers is being addressed.
Azov Region Development Strategy
Putin recalled the recently approved Azov Region Development Strategy, which covers Donbas and Novorossiya. It is designed to expand transport and tourist infrastructure, bring agricultural land into use, develop the fisheries complex and eliminate accumulated environmental damage.
“We must not just restore and repair everything that was destroyed, but lay the foundation for a fundamental transformation of the economy and industry of Donbas and Novorossiya,” the president stressed.
Gratitude for Work in Dangerous Conditions
The head of state thanked all those working in the combat zone, under shelling and drone attacks – doctors, teachers, utility workers, builders, drivers and volunteers. Special mention was made of 82 sponsor regions, 26 state companies and hundreds of enterprises helping to rebuild infrastructure.
“Our forces hold the strategic advantage and are confidently moving forward. The enemy is resorting to openly terrorist methods – striking civilian facilities, communications and passenger transport,” Putin said, confirming that the advance continues on all fronts.
