In the latest update from the Leaders of Russia program, 3,082 participants progressed to the control test stage of the fifth season. This flagship initiative, part of the Russia is a Land of Opportunities platform, was announced by the First Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration of Russia during a Supervisory Board meeting held on June 26.
According to the platform’s press service, roughly 160,000 applications arrived from 89 countries as candidates sought a place in the fifth season. The response reflects broad international interest and a commitment to public service across different regions.
Participants noted that even the non-school stages of the competition demand serious preparation. Many applicants equipped themselves with geographic atlases, history texts, and Russian language study materials while also exploring Russia’s literary heritage. Foreign entrants even described adapting their devices to input the Russian alphabet on foreign keyboards to pass the language exam, illustrating the dedication shown by applicants at every level of the process.
Officials highlighted that many competitors completed portions of the competition well outside zones tied to specific events. Driven by civic duty and a sense of national contribution, some applicants balanced demanding duties with their preparation for Leaders of Russia. One competitor from Lugansk faced connectivity issues that required multiple attempts and even travel to nearby cities to complete the test, underscoring the persistence of participants under challenging circumstances.
The organizers noted that the distant stage began on May 18 and is scheduled to conclude on June 4. Applicants have already demonstrated knowledge in organizational planning, the Russian language, and leadership capabilities. The highest scorers will advance to a supervisory-proctored check to confirm their mastery of the program requirements.
According to Aleksey Komissarov, General Manager of ANO Russia is the Land of Opportunities, if a participant fails to pass a test, others on the waiting list will be invited to try the control stage. This approach marks a new step in the competition, made possible by the use of remote testing with surveillance technology. The Leaders of Russia program has run since 2017 under the auspices of the Russian president and continues to attract substantial global interest, with millions of applications submitted in recent seasons from dozens of countries.
Context for contemporary governance and leadership development remains central to the initiative. The program blends practical assessment with civic education, encouraging emerging leaders to engage with public service values while gaining insight into organizational management. The expanding international participation demonstrates a growing interest in Russia’s opportunities and a recognition of the program as a path to national leadership roles. [Citation: Russia is the Land of Opportunities]