Denis Manturov and Gleb Nikitin visited Sarov.

      On April 11, 2026, at 09:12, Politics. The First Deputy Prime Minister of Russia, Denis Manturov, visited Sarov on a working trip on April 10, 2026. Together with the Governor of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, Secretary of the regional branch of the United Russia party, Gleb Nikitin, he visited key facilities of the National Center for Physics and Mathematics (NCPM) and the Russian Federal Nuclear Center - All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Experimental Physics (RFNC-VNIIEF).

      The delegation was briefed on the results of the implementation of the NCPM scientific program, interacted with students from the Sarov branch of Lomonosov Moscow State University, and congratulated the staff of the nuclear center on its 80th anniversary.

      At the ceremonial event dedicated to the anniversary of RFNC-VNIIEF, Denis Manturov read a congratulatory message from the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin, and presented state and departmental awards to 14 employees of the institute.

      In the congratulation from the head of state, it is noted that the 80th anniversary of the center is a significant event not only for its staff but also for the entire nuclear industry and the country as a whole.

      "It was at the Sarov Nuclear Center that the foundation of the nuclear shield was laid, which has reliably ensured the safety and sovereignty of our country for many years. Unique design developments have been created here, opening new opportunities for strengthening the defense industry, developing energy, transport, and medicine, and exploring the Arctic, the World Ocean, and space," the congratulation from Vladimir Putin states.

      Addressing industry representatives, Denis Manturov emphasized that over the decades, the institute has come a long way and has become a powerful multidisciplinary scientific center of world level. According to him, the competencies of RFNC-VNIIEF have long exceeded the initial specialization. Along with fulfilling state defense orders, the center actively works for the civilian sector, solving strategic tasks in the field of supercomputer modeling, designing complex laser systems, and researching promising materials. The contribution of the staff to the development of microelectronics, instrument engineering, and the digitalization of production processes is also aimed at strengthening the technological sovereignty of the country.

      During the trip, Denis Manturov, Gleb Nikitin, and the General Director of the State Corporation "Rosatom," Alexey Likhachev, laid flowers at the monument to Academician Yuli Borisovich Khariton - the founder and scientific leader of the Soviet atomic project.

      Alexey Likhachev noted that VNIIEF has historically been tasked with being at the forefront of creating nuclear and thermonuclear weapons, as well as a number of technologies that are in demand today in the civilian sector. According to him, the tradition of being first at the institute not only continues but also develops. As an example, he cited the establishment of the National Center for Physics and Mathematics, which has become a pioneer among new-type scientific and educational centers.

      The delegation also visited the NCPM, where they learned about the results of scientific activities and plans for the further development of the center. Students and graduate students from the MSU branch in Sarov presented their own research and developments to the guests.

      Gleb Nikitin emphasized that the branch of the leading university in the country - Lomonosov Moscow State University - is developing in Sarov, which is one of the key educational elements of the NCPM. A comfortable environment for living and starting serious research work has been created here.

      "The continuity adds special value to this educational ecosystem: the overwhelming majority of graduates connect their lives with science and find employment at the enterprises of the State Corporation 'Rosatom,' strengthening the technological independence of the country," the governor noted.

      The First Deputy Prime Minister also interacted with students who spoke about their scientific tasks related to the industry and about combining studies with practical engineering training at the Federal Nuclear Center.

      Research is being conducted at the NCPM in ten areas of fundamental physics and mathematics. A cooperation has been formed, uniting 65 institutes of the Russian Academy of Sciences and Russian universities. Currently, preparations are underway to create seven mid-science class laboratories. The new infrastructure will allow for obtaining world-class results, ensuring scientific leadership and technological independence of the country in a number of critically important areas, and will also be used in the interests of defense and security.

      Together with the State Corporation "Rosatom," university professors have developed master's and doctoral programs to train specialists in promising areas of physics, mathematics, computer science, and supercomputer technologies. As of the end of 2025, MSU Sarov has graduated three sets of master's students - 140 highly qualified physicists and mathematicians, most of whom are already working at strategic enterprises and scientific organizations in the country.

      Earlier, it was reported that Sarov scientists propose to build a small-capacity nuclear power plant on the Moon. The NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay updated on major events, exclusive materials, and operational information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+