MOSCOW (Realist English). Russia has released its annual ranking of regional digital transformation for 2025, with Belgorod Region, Sakhalin Region, Chelyabinsk Region, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area (Yugra), and the Republic of Tatarstan emerging as the top performers.
The assessment covered 18 key indicators, including the availability of digital public services, the adoption of artificial intelligence technologies, import substitution in digital solutions and cybersecurity readiness. The digital transformation program is overseen by Deputy Prime Minister and Chief of the Government Staff Dmitry Grigorenko.
“Russian regions are demonstrating strong momentum in introducing digital technologies into social services and public administration,” Grigorenko said. “For us, the key measure is not formal reporting but real results for citizens and businesses. We evaluate how digital solutions improve quality of life, make services more convenient and secure, and ensure accessibility even in remote areas.”
Belgorod retains leadership
Belgorod Region ranked first for the second consecutive year, achieving the highest scores across most indicators.
Authorities highlighted high public satisfaction with electronic government services, the development of subsidized IT mortgages, and tax incentives for IT companies and data centers.
The region has also introduced several digital initiatives, including the “Digital Water Utility” system, an artificial intelligence-based digital twin designed to reduce water losses and infrastructure failures across 235 facilities.
Another project, the “Djinn” digital platform, allows residents to interact directly with local authorities. Officials say the system has reduced response times to citizen requests from 48 hours to 24 hours, while the share of cases resolved within the required timeframe has risen from 60 percent to 85 percent.
Regions share second place
Second place in the ranking was shared by three regions that achieved identical scores: Sakhalin Region, the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area and Chelyabinsk Region.
Sakhalin has focused heavily on artificial intelligence. As part of the “Safe City” initiative, neural networks analyze surveillance camera footage to detect potential incidents automatically. Alerts are then verified by volunteers, with about one in four signals confirmed as real threats.
The region has also strengthened cybersecurity systems, cutting response times to cyberattacks in half while identifying more than 77,000 threats.
Digital services in remote areas
In the Khanty-Mansi Autonomous Area, authorities have concentrated on expanding digital services for residents of remote territories.
Under the “IT-Camp” project, 95 specialized digital hubs have been created to provide indigenous communities in Arctic areas with access to telemedicine and government services.
Residents can also use a chatbot called “Vika”, integrated into the Max messenger platform. The service allows users to schedule medical appointments, receive telemedicine consultations, check school closures and access other local information. Officials say the system processes around 10,000 doctor appointment requests and about 8,000 telemedicine consultations each week.
Infrastructure and AI strategy
Chelyabinsk Region ranked among the leaders due to rapid development of digital infrastructure. In 2025, internet access was expanded to 65,000 residents in small settlements.
The region also issued around 300 subsidized IT mortgages and adopted its own artificial intelligence development strategy. According to the ranking, Chelyabinsk is among the top three Russian regions by number of implemented AI solutions listed on the “Digital Region” platform.
Tatarstan enters top group
The Republic of Tatarstan also placed in the top three thanks to active deployment of AI-based digital tools.
In 2025 the region launched “GosPrompt,” a digital platform designed for public officials. The system supports about 150 administrative tasks, including drafting analytical materials, preparing responses to citizen requests, reviewing legal documents and analyzing job applications.
Another project, “Teacher’s Assistant,” uses AI to analyze audio recordings of lessons, evaluate the emotional atmosphere in classrooms and generate recommendations to improve teaching practices.
Broader digitalization effort
Officials said the ranking reflects only part of the nationwide effort to modernize public administration through digital technologies.
Moscow, Russia’s federal capital, is not included in the ranking due to its separate administrative status.