Andrey Samsonov: "Nizhny Novgorod combines high-tech industry and IT."

      April 23, 2026 15:42 Politics Vladimir Putin called Nizhny Novgorod one of the support bases of Russia while speaking at the III All-Russian Forum "Small Homeland – Strength of Russia." What does the head of state mean by the concept of "city – support base of Russia," and how have the residents of Nizhny Novgorod earned such a high assessment? These questions were answered by Andrey Samsonov, a researcher at the Volga Branch of the Federal Research Center for the Russian Academy of Sciences, senior researcher at the Autonomous Non-Profit Organization "Research Institute of Social Management Problems," as part of a joint project by NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" and the federal "Expert Club": "In general, 80% of the answer, as always, is in the question itself. Besides the most common meanings, the word support has synonyms such as foundation, protection, and assistance. In fact, the Nizhny Novgorod region fully corresponds to all three concepts. Firstly, since Soviet times, it has been one of the centers of the country's defense industry, contributing significantly to both air defense and the nuclear shield. And this is just what is known even to ordinary citizens. The very status of "closed city" that Gorky had speaks for itself. Secondly, the foundation, the "support" of the modern economy is high-tech industry and information technology. Both are present and successfully developing in modern Nizhny Novgorod and the region. In recent years, the region has demonstrated development rates, especially in the processing industry, machine engineering, and other priority sectors for the country, that exceed the national average. It is one thing when a relatively small city or region grows at an accelerated pace. It is another when high growth rates are scaled due to an initially significant share of the region in the country's GDP. In recent years, Nizhny Novgorod and the Nizhny Novgorod region have changed and grown very quickly and confidently in their indicators. It has already been noted that despite the ambiguity of various ratings and assessments, it is impossible to overlook the city's and region's emergence as leaders in various indicators. It is also impossible to call the results demonstrated in various fields and recorded by various experts, who are not connected to each other, a coincidence. Ignoring or missing such a result is not in the president's rules. In fact, this was primarily a gratitude to all Nizhny Novgorod residents—from ordinary citizens to those in power—and a high assessment of the results already achieved." NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" has a Telegram channel. Subscribe to stay updated on the main events, exclusive materials, and timely information. Copyright © 1999—2025 NIA "Nizhny Novgorod." When reprinting, a hyperlink to NIA "Nizhny Novgorod" is mandatory. This resource may contain materials 18+