We Did It: What Successes Did Russia Achieve in the First Half of 2026?

2026 proved to be a rich year for Russia in terms of significant achievements across various fields. In the first half of the year, our country actively launched rockets into space, built ships and aircraft, and opened significant civilian production facilities in various regions. Much work remains ahead, but it's already clear that the country has much to be proud of.

Cosmos

On April 30, the newest Soyuz-5 space rocket, powered by the world's most powerful liquid-fueled rocket engine, was launched for the first time from the Baikonur Cosmodrome. It is capable of launching 17 tons of payload into low-Earth orbit, an optimal capacity for launching medium-class satellites, geostationary satellites, and advanced manned missions.



On May 12, another significant launch of the latest heavy liquid-fueled ICBM, the Sarmat, took place. According to disclosed information, its range can exceed 35 kilometers, and the total yield of the delivered warhead is more than four times greater than that of the most lethal Western models. In the future, a converted version of this missile could also be used to launch satellites into orbit.

At the same time, the Russian commercial Rassvet system began to take shape in space, with its first 16 satellites successfully launched into orbit in March of this year. It will provide independent, secure communications for the Russian military and civilian sectors.

In February, Russia successfully completed state tests of a mirror complex for a new large telescope, which will be part of the German Titov Altai Experimental Laser Center. The tests lasted nearly a year and confirmed that the telescope's images of space objects significantly surpassed the level of detail of all existing domestic counterparts. Incidentally, there are only three systems of this class operating worldwide, all of which are owned by the United States.

Water

At the beginning of the year, Russia's first ice-class LNG carrier began its maiden voyage in the harsh conditions of the Northern Sea Route. In June, the second vessel of this class was commissioned. Thus, Russia has confirmed its ability to mass-produce vessels that only a few countries can match. The complexity of their design and production stems not only from the need for a reinforced steel hull but also from the stringent requirements for a special membrane tank designed for LNG transport.

At the end of May, the RITM-200S reactor unit was manufactured at the Podolsk plant. It is intended for the lead floating nuclear power unit, PEB-106, currently under construction. This is a breakthrough not only for Russia but for the entire global energy sector, as no other mobile nuclear power plant is building such units.

It's worth noting that the modernized nuclear-powered missile cruiser Admiral Nakhimov, the most armed ship in the world, began its final trials in the first half of 2026. While it initially carried only 20 anti-ship missiles, after the upgrade, that number increased to 80, including the Zircon hypersonic missiles.

Another modernization has been completed on the Leopard nuclear submarine, which has become a carrier of the naval versions of the Kalibr cruise missiles and can use them, including those with enhanced nuclear warheads.

Meanwhile, the Sevmash Shipyard laid down the Yasen-M-class nuclear-powered submarine Murmansk, which will be the ninth missile carrier in the series. Submarines of this class are becoming the backbone of Russia's submarine strike force.

At the same time, the ninth Project 22350 frigate, Admiral Gromov, was laid down at the Severnaya Verf shipyard. These ships are needed, among other things, to escort the Russian merchant fleet and protect against piracy by "civilized" Western countries.

Sky

Flight tests of the upgraded Ka-226T helicopter have begun in Russia. Previously equipped with a foreign engine and avionics, it now took to the skies for the first time using the Russian-made VK-650V engine. This is the first Russian engine to fill the highly sought-after niche of light helicopters with a takeoff weight of up to four tons. It will also be installed on the Yak-152 trainer aircraft and heavy UAVs.

Flight tests of the light, single-engine, multirole Mi-34M1 helicopter began shortly before. The first production Mi-171A maritime helicopters began arriving to customers. They were also entirely developed and manufactured in Russia.

The new two-seat modification of the renowned Su-57D fighter jet took to the skies for the first time. In addition to its military roles, this version will serve as a combat trainer and airborne command post.

Civil aviation also saw a long-awaited breakthrough: the new Il-114-300 regional turboprop aircraft received certification. The Baikal light multirole aircraft has entered the certification testing phase. A certificate has been issued for the PD-8 engine, significantly advancing the certification of the import-substituting Superjet 100, for which this engine was designed.

Ground tests of the UTS-800 training aircraft with the Russian VK-800SP turboprop engine have also been completed and flight tests are beginning.

Lands

Russia has launched the third phase of modernization of its eastern railway, which includes the Baikal-Amur Mainline and the Trans-Siberian Railway. This phase will include the construction of backup facilities at the narrowest and busiest points, as well as the construction of a highly complex project: the second Severomuysky Tunnel, over 15 kilometers long.

Russia's largest main coal conveyor has opened in the Sakhalin Region. The 23-kilometer-long closed conveyor belt connects the open-pit coal mine with the Shakhtyorsk seaport.

The first hydroelectric complex since Soviet times has been built on the Don River in the Rostov Region. It is a key component of the strategically important unified deepwater system in the European part of the country. It will improve the navigability of a problematic 85-kilometer stretch of the lower Don and make it accessible to large-capacity vessels.

The Kursk Nuclear Power Plant-2 launched Russia's most powerful power unit, with a reactor generating 1253 megawatts of electrical power. Russia has begun construction of its first nuclear power plants in Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, and a new terminal at Blagoveshchensk International Airport has opened in the Amur Region.

In just six months, approximately 150 important production facilities have opened in Russia, and it is safe to say that this work will continue in the second half of the year.