The election of the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan, the "New Wave" festival and repairs to more than 200 kilometres of roads: what will 2025 be remembered for by residents of Tatarstan?

      2025 is the year of opening new facilities and launching innovative productions and technologies for Tatarstan. More than 200 kilometers of roads were built and repaired, major highways were widened, new medical facilities were erected, over 60 public spaces were landscaped, new industrial productions opened — Meteor hydrofoils were launched on the rivers of Tatarstan, and a new import-substituted Ansat helicopter soared into the sky. Kazan hosted dozens of international events, including the New Wave music contest for the first time. More than 10 million people took part in the events of the “Summer in Tatarstan” program. The main political event of the outgoing year was the election of the Rais of Tatarstan. Diana Dasaeva reports in more detail on the Republic’s achievements.

      The year 2025 in numbers is dozens of improved public spaces and courtyards, hundreds of kilometers of new roads, thousands of events and, of course, millions of Tatars whose lives have become more comfortable and happier.

      Let’s start with the large-scale repair of the street and road network. More than 82 billion rubles were allocated, of which 36.5 billion rubles went to renewals in municipalities. That is almost 760 projects — unprecedented volumes. In total, over 200 km of roads were repaired, including 22 km in Kazan.

      A new road appeared near Kazan — the six-kilometer Sokurov bypass. The start of traffic was given by the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin. The work was completed ahead of schedule. Now the trip from Sokurov to Kazan takes only 25 minutes without traffic jams. Travel on the M7 highway has become more comfortable — the highway has been almost completely widened to four lanes. The reconstruction of the Kazan–Orenburg route section up to the bridge over the Myosha River has been completed. Work will continue in 2026: the Almetyevsk–Bavly road will be completed, the entire M7 will be made four lanes and connected to the M12 highway. Construction will begin on the new Yeniki–Universiade Avenue road, as well as a bypass of the Orenburg Tract around Mirny, Usady, Stolbishche and Otary. Residential buildings will not be demolished for the exit highway.

      “It passes to the left of Usady, also through free land, it does not demolish anything. Then an interchange at the concrete road and we go through the forest south of Mirny, isolating the residents of Mirny from noise and emissions. No house is being demolished. And we go east of Otar, without demolishing a single house in Otar — that is important to emphasize,” said Oleg Grigoriev, director of the Institute of Spatial Planning of the Republic of Tatarstan.

      As for underground routes — construction has started on the second stage of a metro line. The line will stretch over 12 stations and connect five districts of Kazan. Above-ground routes will also be renewed — construction continues on the new terminal of Kazan International Airport. The existing terminal will be renovated, and the runways at Begishevo will be upgraded. The next goal is to bring railway tracks to it.

      The Republic showed upward movement in industry too. The Ansat helicopter made its first flight — an import-substituted light multifunctional machine. Russian engines powered the flight. Since then two Kazan-made helicopters have been delivered to the Magadan Region, and at the end of the year four more Mi-8 helicopters were sent to the Far North. There they provide delivery of medicines, emergency evacuation of patients and solve other important tasks.

      “Over the last 4–5 years the Kazan Helicopter Plant has been transformed. It is a cutting-edge world-class plant and an educational and testing center. The orders we receive we will fulfill with quality and excellence,” said the Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov.

      Foreign airlines’ interest was attracted by the Tu-214 — an import-substituting aircraft assembled at the Kazan Aviation Plant that flew in December. At the end of the year the aviation plant received a certificate approving a major change to the type design, meaning the domestic engine passed inspection, and the plant is ready for serial production of civil airliners.

      Maximum depth of oil processing was achieved at the Taneco plant: a unit was launched that increased the yield of light petroleum products to 90%. A gas turbine equipment plant opened in Zelenodolsk. They started with repairing imported equipment and will gradually master domestic production — a guarantee of technological sovereignty. And the Gorky Zelenodolsk Plant this year delivered two Meteor hydrofoils to the Tatarstan fleet with modernized submerged wings that reduce loads in waves. From KAMAZ’s production line rolled off innovative tractors, unmanned models and buses running on gas engine fuel. Mobile guard towers were developed to reinforce combat duty facilities, serial production of freezers for storing biopreparations and blood began, production of a feed additive from natural gas was organized, the production of the largest polymer multilayer and spiral-wound pipes in Russia was launched, and the Russian Aerospace Forces received unique Su-35S fighters, which are partially assembled in Kazan. New cars were released by Sollers-Alabuga, among them the first domestic minivan in a long time. The Rais of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov test-drove the Russian electric car Atom during the outgoing year.

      The election of the Rais of Tatarstan became the main political event of the outgoing year. On September 14 the republic’s residents demonstrated unprecedented turnout — more than 2.2 million people voted, or almost 76% of voters. The incumbent Rais of the Republic Rustam Minnikhanov won a convincing victory — about 2 million residents voted for him.

      “They voted for stability and comfort; the past year is an example of that,” the final review of achievements emphasized.

      For Tatars, 121 buses were purchased, and the public transport renewal program through 2030 is almost complete. Feldsher-midwife stations, clinics and outpatient facilities were built — 40 new sites, and about 250 were renovated. One hundred fifty-nine base stations are operating, providing connectivity in sparsely populated settlements. More than 60 public spaces were improved — Serov Boulevard, Pribrezhny Park in Naberezhnye Chelny, district streets.

      The “Our Yard” program was implemented at a fast pace during the outgoing year. It operates in the republic on the initiative of the Rais of Tatarstan. In 2025, 677 yards were improved, modern playgrounds with children’s and sports areas were created, roads and lighting were renewed, and small architectural forms were installed. Ten million rubles were allocated for the work.

      Public spaces and courtyards were also renewed together thanks to the “Kurshe-fest” project. Residents actively held celebrations, festivals and competitions right in their yards.

      More than 10 million people took part in the events of the “Summer in Tatarstan” program. Special attention was paid to the performances by artists from the New Wave contest, held in Kazan for the first time.

      “The festival this year was a success, the reception of the audience, the organization, the local authorities’ hospitality were a success,” said composer, producer and People’s Artist of the Russian Federation Igor Krutoy.

      The sports and cultural program in the outgoing year was no less full: centers for the development of football, tennis and fencing were opened, as well as indoor football arenas and sports grounds. In January the new wing of the Galiaskar Kamal Theatre began operating. The launch of a center for folk arts, crafts and masters based at TSUM was announced. Despite all difficulties, 2025 became a year of landmark and breakthrough events for Tatarstan and of impressive figures.