The Institute for Economic Research and Economic Information (ISSEK) of the Higher School of Economics, a leading national university, analyzed Rosstat data and found that the shift in the economy and ongoing sanctions did not reduce operating costs for innovation. In 2022, investments in innovation reached 2.7 trillion rubles, up 12.5 percent from 2021. When inflation is accounted for, the total remains effectively unchanged. Experts say domestic innovation received support last year due to the exit of Western companies, the push for import substitution, and government measures for backing innovation. This assessment is reported by Kommersant.
Business expenditures on innovation activities reached 2.7 trillion rubles in 2022, up from 2.4 trillion rubles in 2021. Adjusted for inflation, the figure shows no real increase. Government programs supporting domestic software producers and users contributed to a dramatic rise in spending on software development and the purchase of databases. The largest cost increases occurred in sectors that felt the departure of foreign firms. Paper production saw a 46.5 percent rise, the chemical industry 42.5 percent, the furniture sector 33.2 percent, and the textile industry 28.1 percent. Growth also occurred in sectors with government support, such as agriculture at 26.7 percent and telecommunications and information technology at 16.2 percent. These shifts reflect the restructuring of supply chains and the intensified role of local providers in a changing global landscape. This is documented by Kommersant.
The share of innovation-related costs in total organizational sales remained nearly the same in 2022, at 2.1 percent, up slightly from 2 percent in 2021. The volume of innovative products produced in 2022 decreased by 8 percent at constant prices, totaling 6.4 trillion rubles versus 6 trillion rubles in the previous year. The agriculture, metallurgy, and transportation and storage sectors led the growth in the volume of innovative products, with increases of 60.1 percent, 41.4 percent, and 31 percent respectively. Despite these gains, the portion of innovative products in total sales stays relatively modest at 5.1 percent compared with 5 percent in 2021. The data highlight the uneven distribution of innovation activity across industries and the ongoing challenge of translating research into broad market penetration. Kommersant notes these patterns when discussing the overall innovation environment in the country.
Alexey Poroshin, a member of the General Council of Business of Russia and the general director of First Group JSC, pointed to a substantial number of competitions, grants, and hackathons designed to drive innovative activity. He emphasized the need to build an ecosystem and practical tools that reduce the costs of discovering and developing new products. This perspective underscores the importance of coordinated support for early-stage innovation, from idea generation to market-ready solutions. The advocacy for shared platforms, access to data, and collaborative funding mechanisms aligns with broader policy goals aimed at sustaining domestic innovation in a shifting international context. Poroshin’s comments appear in discussions surrounding policy and industry strategy. A recent remark by a prominent tech figure highlights the ongoing dialogue about innovation incentives and the practical steps required to scale new offerings.
Finally, a notable social media moment is mentioned: the long-awaited post from a major tech executive marked a return to public posting after an extended pause. This signal has sparked conversations about the visibility and influence of global tech leaders in shaping innovation narratives and market expectations.