Meeting with Smolensk Region Governor Vasily Anokhin

At the beginning of the meeting, Vasily Anokhin Anokhin VasilyGovernor of Smolensk Region spoke about the participation of major military units stationed in the region in the special military operation, and about supporting SMO participants and their families. There are 49 support measures in total. Interaction with the Fatherland Defenders Foundation is underway, and the diocese and the metropolis are widely involved in the work. The clergy communicate with the families, and travel to the front lines. The Association of Special Military Operation Participants has been created. The SMO veterans are being helped successfully re-enter civilian life; 273 demobilised servicemen have been employed, and five more work at government agencies.

The President noted that focus on the SMO participants should be constant. This, he said, is not some trendy area of work, but a tribute by the state to the people who stand up to defend it. This should be an uninterrupted effort.

Next up, Mr Anokhin reported on progress in implementing the President's instructions, primarily in healthcare. This year will see the completion of the construction of a new building of a clinical psychiatric hospital with 600 beds. The construction of the surgical building of a cancer treatment centre and a large outpatient clinic has been completed. In two years, the number of medical checkups has significantly increased. Even though staffing and the condition of medical buildings remain on the list of issues that need attention, much is being done to bring things up to code. There is a substantial programme to support young medical specialists.

The region is implementing a programme for the integrated development of territories, in particular rural territories; housing is being built, and staff shortages at rural health posts have been cut in half, which is particularly important. The governor pointed out that demography was a core issue for the region to move forward. A major programme to promote the birth rate has been drafted that includes support for young student families and large families.

Improving the education system and restoring cultural heritage sites in this region with rich history was discussed as well. Europe's largest archaeological museum-reserve in Gnezdovo and the Smolenskoye Poozerye National Park, which is home to a group of ice age lakes, are being rebuilt. The region boasts churches built during the pre-Mongol period that is before the 13^th century and is a destination point for large numbers of pilgrims. To support the tourist flow and for business purposes in general, the governor said, it is important to re-build the airport, which, upon a presidential instructions, was transferred on the books the region. A contract for designing an airport has been signed, and the airport will be built within the next two years.

According to the head of the region, the industrial sector is making good progress. The enterprises that worked well in the Soviet times and were then shut down are being revivified. The focus is on aircraft building, the car industry, and shipbuilding. In this regard, the Smolensk Aviation Plant and the Izmeritel Plant were mentioned. A major Roslavl Brake Systems Plant is being revived. The unmanned aerial systems are making great strides.

To be continued.