MOSCOW (Realist English). The past week has been marked by a number of significant events across various spheres — from international security to domestic politics and technological development.
Russia and China conducted a joint air patrol in the Asia-Pacific region, the XIII Forum of Regions of Russia and Belarus took place in Minsk, and the first stage of the United Russia party’s pre-election congress began in Moscow.
Meanwhile, the Russian Defence Ministry expressed concern over Germany’s plans to strengthen the Bundeswehr, and Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Grigorenko announced the transition to the systematic implementation of artificial intelligence in key sectors of the economy.
Russia and China Conduct Joint Patrol in Asia-Pacific
On June 27, the Russian Aerospace Forces and the People’s Liberation Army Air Force of China conducted another joint air patrol in the Asia-Pacific region.
The air group included Russian Tu-95MS strategic bombers and Chinese H-6K bombers.
The aircraft patrolled the waters of the Sea of Japan and the East China Sea, as well as the western part of the Pacific Ocean. The joint flight lasted about six hours.
Throughout the route, fighter escort was provided by Russian Su-30SM and Su-35S aircraft, as well as Chinese Jian-16 fighters. The Russian Defence Ministry emphasised that the actions of both countries’ aircraft strictly complied with international law, and no violations of foreign states’ airspace were committed.
“The event was conducted as part of the implementation of the military cooperation plan for 2026 and is not directed against third countries,” the ministry said in a statement. At certain stages of the route, the strategic bombers were escorted by fighter jets of foreign states.
Putin Addresses Participants of the Russia-Belarus Regions Forum
On June 26, the XIII Forum of Regions of Russia and Belarus took place in Minsk and the Minsk Region. Russian President Vladimir Putin sent a message to the participants, in which he noted that ties between regions are “the solid foundation on which cooperation between the two countries is steadily developing in a wide range of areas — in politics and security, in the social and humanitarian spheres and, of course, in the economy.”
Putin stressed that bilateral trade turnover last year set another record, reaching $52 billion, and in the first quarter of this year growth continued — more than 7%. All mutual settlements between the countries are conducted in national currencies.
The Russian leader also noted that the regions are actively involved in the implementation of 26 joint import substitution projects in high-tech sectors. More than 600 delegates from 73 constituent entities of the Russian Federation took part in the forum. The main theme of the forum was “Economic cooperation between regions — the basis for sustainable development of Belarus and Russia.”
Defence Ministry Concerned Over Bundeswehr Strengthening Plans
On June 26, at the IV International Anti-Fascist Congress in Minsk, Deputy Defence Minister — Chief of the Main Military-Political Directorate of the Russian Armed Forces, Army General Viktor Goremykin stated that “serious concern is caused by the loud statements of German Chancellor Merz about his goal — to make the Bundeswehr the strongest army in Europe.”
According to Goremykin, this indicates where “European integration” is heading, led by bureaucrats “who are encouraging in every possible way such revanchist sentiments in Germany and in other parts of Euro-Atlantica.”
He also noted that European leaders are making blanket accusations against Russia of planning to invade NATO and EU countries, calling these claims “nonsense” and “deliberate deception of their own peoples.”
It was previously reported that the long-term plan for the modernisation of the Bundeswehr, designed until 2041, is estimated at 350–377 billion euros.
United Russia Launches Pre-Election Congress
On June 28, the first stage of the United Russia party’s pre-election congress, preceding the 2026 election campaign, took place in Moscow. The congress finalised the lists of candidates for the State Duma.
Earlier, Secretary of the party’s General Council Vladimir Yakushev explained that the congress would also adopt a new long-term programme document, since the current version, dated 2001, “has simply outlived itself.”
President Vladimir Putin may take part in the congress, his press secretary Dmitry Peskov said. Additional decisions on the nomination of candidates may also be adopted at the congress.
Chresnakov on the Significance of the Congress
Alexei Chesnakov, Scientific Director of the Centre for Political Conjuncture, stated that the United Russia congress opens a new stage in the election race. According to him, this event “has long ceased to be exclusively intra-party.”
Chesnakov stressed that President Vladimir Putin’s speech at the congress will become “the most important event of the year in terms of substance.”
“Signals from the President on this day will be awaited in many capitals around the world,” the expert noted. He also drew attention to the key intrigues of the campaign, including the party lists.
Technology: Grigorenko Announces Transition to Systematic AI Implementation
Deputy Prime Minister — Head of the Government Apparatus Dmitry Grigorenko took part in a meeting of the State Council Commission on the “Data Economy” direction, where he stated that Russia has transitioned to the systematic implementation of artificial intelligence in key sectors of the economy.
“At the end of 2025, the IT industry showed steady growth — its revenue increased by 14%… The volume of exports of Russian IT solutions is also growing — by 20% on average over the past year,” Grigorenko said.
He noted that today Russia has established nearly 200 target indicators for the implementation of AI technology in 13 key sectors in 2026.
The government has already developed a draft law that introduces the very concept of AI and creates conditions to stimulate the development of domestic technologies.
