Russia, as the largest country in the world covering eleven time zones and bordering fourteen countries, has always faced a major challenge in governance: maintaining economic activities, infrastructure, and basic services across its vast territory with an uneven population. The more than four-and-a-half-year war against Ukraine and international sanctions have significantly complicated this challenge.
Changes in National Space Policy
New research shows that Russia's space development strategy has undergone major changes from 2019 to 2024. In 2019, the national space policy focused on 41 major urban areas expected to contribute to the country's economic growth. However, in the new strategy, 2,160 "supporting towns" have been identified across the country, tasked with maintaining the population, providing essential services, and ensuring territorial continuity.
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These changes indicate a shift in the government's approach to space policy. As the war and sanctions have led to reduced investment and disruption in trade relations, the previous idea of concentrating population and economic activities in large cities is no longer effective.
New Challenges and Government Solutions
In the new strategy, strategic geographical areas including Kaliningrad, the Far East, the North Caucasus, and polar regions have been identified based on security and economic vulnerabilities. This shift in focus from growth to maintaining basic activities, especially in economically weak areas, reflects fundamental changes in governance.
While maintaining essential services such as schools and clinics in small towns is a positive achievement, this new approach signifies a reduction in expectations for economic growth and social opportunities. In fact, this policy may lead to contentment with the status quo and a lack of worsening conditions rather than improving them.
Ultimately, the case of Russia shows that policy models may initially seem universal, but changes in economic conditions can have profound effects on their effectiveness. As economic growth has become a major challenge, the Russian government must seek to maintain and strengthen the economic and social foundations of its territories.
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