Moscow is the capital of Russia, founded in 1147 by Prince Yuri Dolgoruky. Initially, it was a small town on the banks of the Moskva River, which gradually became an important political and commercial center. In the 14th century, Moscow became the capital of the Grand Duchy of Moscow, and then the center of the unification of Russian lands. In 1547, Ivan IV the Terrible was crowned as the first Russian tsar, which consolidated the city's status as the political and cultural heart of the country. In 1712, the capital was moved to St. Petersburg, but Moscow retained its importance as a historical and religious center.
In 1812, Moscow survived the invasion of Napoleon and a fire that destroyed most of the city, but quickly recovered. In 1918, after the October Revolution, Moscow again became the capital of Soviet Russia, and then of the USSR. During the Great Patriotic War, the city survived the battle of Moscow, which became a turning point in the war. In modern history, Moscow continues to be the main economic, cultural and political center of Russia, as well as one of the largest megacities in the world with a rich historical heritage.

Saint Petersburg was founded in 1703 by Emperor Peter I on the banks of the Neva River as a "window to Europe". The city has become a symbol of Russia's modernization and its commitment to European standards. From 1712 to 1918, St. Petersburg was the capital of the Russian Empire, which contributed to its rapid development as a political, cultural and scientific center. Famous architectural ensembles such as the Winter Palace, Peter and Paul Fortress and St. Isaac's Cathedral were built here. The city also witnessed key events in Russian history, including the Decembrist uprising in 1825 and the revolutionary movements of the early 20th century.
In 1914, the city was renamed Petrograd, and in 1924 — Leningrad in honor of Vladimir Lenin. During the Great Patriotic War, the city endured a severe blockade that lasted 872 days, but withstood, becoming a symbol of courage and resistance. In 1991, the historical name of St. Petersburg was returned to the city. Today it is the second largest city in Russia, an important cultural and tourist center, known for its museums, theaters and rich historical heritage.

Samara was founded in 1586 as a fortress on the banks of the Volga River to protect the southern borders of the Russian state from nomadic raids. Due to its advantageous geographical location at the intersection of trade routes, the city rapidly developed as an important economic and transport center. In the 17th and 18th centuries, Samara became a major transshipment point for trade in bread, fish and salt. In the 19th century, with the development of shipping and the construction of the railway, the city became one of the key industrial and transport hubs of the Volga region.
During the Great Patriotic War Samara (then Kuibyshev) It became the "reserve capital" of the USSR: government offices, diplomatic missions and large industrial enterprises were evacuated here. During this period, the city played a crucial role in providing the front with military equipment and food. In the post-war years, Samara continued to develop as a major industrial and scientific center, known for its aerospace enterprises, such as the RCC Progress. Today Samara is a large city with a rich history, cultural heritage and an important role in the Russian economy.

Vladivostok was founded in 1860 as a military post of the Russian Empire on the shore of the Amur Bay. Initially, it was a small fortress built to protect the Far Eastern borders of the country. The name “Vladivostok“ comes from the words "to own the East.” The city grew rapidly thanks to the Trans-Siberian Railway and became an important commercial and military port on the Pacific Ocean.
Vladivostok experienced several significant events in the 20th century: It was part of the Russian Republic, the Far Eastern Republic, and was occupied by the Japanese during the Civil War. In Soviet times, it became the largest port in the Far East and an important naval base. Today it is a modern metropolis with a population of more than 600 thousand people, a major economic and cultural center of the Russian Far East.

Novosibirsk was founded in 1893 during the construction of the Trans-Siberian Railway as the village of Novonikolaevsk. The original name of the city was given in honor of Emperor Nicholas II. Located on the Great Siberian Railway, the city quickly turned into a major transportation hub and trade center of Siberia.
During the Soviet period, the city was renamed Novosibirsk and experienced rapid development: in the 1930s, the construction of the famous Akademgorodok began here, in the 1950s and 60s, the city became the center of the space industry and was nicknamed the “space capital of Siberia.” Today Novosibirsk is the third most populous city in Russia, a major scientific, industrial and cultural center with a population of more than 1.6 million people.

Yekaterinburg was founded in 1723 by decree of Empress Catherine I as an ironworks fortress. The city was named in honor of St. Catherine, the patron saint of the Empress. The founder of the city is considered to be V.N. Tatishchev, and the direct construction was headed by G.V. de Gennin, after whom the city was originally called Yekaterinburg. Located on an important trade route between the European part of Russia and Siberia, the city quickly turned into a major industrial and cultural center of the Urals.
In the 19th century, Yekaterinburg became one of the most important industrial centers of Russia, with the largest gold processing plants located here. In 1917-1918, the city played a key role in the events of the Civil War. The tragic event in the history of the city was the death of the royal family in July 1918. During the Soviet period, the city, renamed Sverdlovsk, became the largest industrial center. Today, Yekaterinburg is the administrative center of the Sverdlovsk Region, the fourth most populous city in Russia with a population of more than 1.5 million people, and an important industrial, cultural, and scientific center of the country.

Kazan was founded in the 13th century, according to the most common version, at the confluence of the Volga and Kazanka rivers. The city was originally located on the site of a Bulgarian settlement and became an important trading and military post. In 1391, the city was first mentioned in written sources. Kazan became the capital of the Kazan Khanate after the collapse of the Golden Horde, and in 1552 it was annexed to the Russian Empire by Ivan the Terrible, which became an important stage in the expansion of the Russian state to the east.
In the 18th century, Kazan became a major industrial and cultural center of the Volga region. In 1804, the first university in the region was opened here. The city has experienced several important events: the fire of 1842, the revolutionary events of 1905 and 1917. In Soviet times, Kazan became the largest industrial center, where aircraft, automotive and other industries developed. Today Kazan is the capital of the Republic of Tatarstan, one of the largest economic and cultural centers of Russia with a population of more than 1.3 million people, known for its multinational culture and architectural heritage.

Nizhny Novgorod was founded in 1221 by Prince Yuri Vsevolodovich as a fortress to protect the borders of the Vladimir-Suzdal Principality from Mordovia and Volga Bulgars. The city was named Nizhny Novgorod by analogy with Nizhny Novgorod on the Oka (present-day Dzerzhinsk), which was founded earlier. In the 14th century it became one of the centers of the Grand Duchy of Vladimir, and since the 15th century it has been an important trade and military center of the Moscow Principality.

In the XVI-XVII centuries, the city became the largest shopping center in Russia, the famous Makaryevskaya Fair was held here. In the 19th century, Nizhny Novgorod turned into a major industrial center, and the first railway workshops in Russia appeared here. In Soviet times, the city, renamed Gorky, became one of the most important industrial centers of the country. Today Nizhny Novgorod is the administrative center of the Nizhny Novgorod Region, the fifth most populous city in Russia with a population of more than 1.2 million people, and a major industrial, cultural, and educational center.

Voronezh was founded in 1586 as a fortress to protect the southern borders of the Russian state from the raids of the Crimean and Nogai Tatars. The city was located on the high right bank of the Voronezh River (a tributary of the Don). In the 17th century, Voronezh became the center of shipbuilding for the Russian navy, and the first naval shipyard was established here, which began the history of the Russian regular navy.

In the 18th century, the city experienced significant development under Peter the Great, ships were built here for the Azov campaigns. In the 19th century, Voronezh became an important trade center, known for its famous fair. During the Soviet period, the city turned into a major industrial and cultural center. Today Voronezh is the administrative center of the Voronezh Region, a large industrial, scientific and cultural center of the Central Chernozem region with a population of more than 1 million people, known for its historical architecture and universities.

Perm was founded in 1723 as a fortress factory on the Kama River by decree of Peter I. Initially, it was a copper smelter, which became one of the first industrial enterprises in the Urals. The name of the city comes from the Perm River, which flows into a Coma. In the 18th and 19th centuries, Perm became an important center of the metallurgical industry and trade, and the famous tea route from China to Europe passed through the city.

In the 19th century, the city received the status of a provincial center. In 1878, the Trans-Siberian Railway passed through Perm, which gave a powerful impetus to the development of the city. During the Soviet period, Perm turned into a large industrial center with developed mechanical engineering, chemical and petrochemical industries. Today Perm is the administrative center of the Perm Region, a large industrial, cultural and educational center with a population of more than 1 million people, known for its wooden architecture and scientific traditions.

Ufa was founded in 1586 (according to some sources in 1574) as a fortress on the banks of the Belaya River to protect the southern borders of the Russian state. The settlements of Pashkerti (V-XVI centuries) and Imen-kala (XVI century) previously existed on the site of the modern city. In the 17th and 18th centuries, the city gradually turned from a fortress into the administrative and economic center of the region.

Since 1708 Ufa was a part of Kazan province, since 1728 it became the center of Ufa province. In 1773-1774, the city successfully withstood the siege and assault during the Pugachev Uprising. In 1802 it became a provincial town. Ufa has been the capital of the Bashkir Autonomous Soviet Socialist Republic since 1922 (since 1992– the Republic of Bashkortostan). Today it is one of the largest cities in Russia with a population of more than 1.5 million people in the agglomeration, an important economic, cultural and scientific center of the country. Ufa has the lowest population density among Russia's million-plus cities and is the ninth largest city in the country.

Omsk was founded in 1716 as a fortress on the left bank of the Om River by decree of Peter I. Ivan Buchholz became the founder of the city. The city was built to protect the southern borders of the Russian Empire. In 1781, it received the status of a city. In the period 1822-1918 Omsk was the main city of the West Siberian and Steppe general governorates. In 1918-1920, the city became the capital of the Russian State (the so-called "White Russia").

Omsk expanded significantly in the 20th century, especially during the Great Patriotic War, when many factories from the European part of the USSR were evacuated to the city. The city has received unofficial names "Garden City", "City of Youth" and "City of Science".

Today Omsk is the administrative center of the Omsk region, a major industrial, cultural and scientific center of Siberia. The city is an important transport hub through which the Trans-Siberian Railway passes, and the navigable Irtysh River flows from south to north. Omsk also has important military and administrative significance, the headquarters of the 33rd Guards Missile Army and the Omsk-Severny military airfield are located here.

The city was awarded the honorary titles of "City of Labor Glory" (2015) and "City of Labor Valor" (2020). Omsk is a major cultural and sports center of Siberia, where theatrical activities are actively developing, international festivals and sports competitions are held, including the Siberian International Marathon and international hockey tournaments.

Modern Omsk is a million–strong city with a population of more than 1.1 million people, which is located in the south of the West Siberian Plain at the confluence of the Om River with the Irtysh. The city covers an area of 566.9 km2, making it one of the largest cities in Russia by area.

Krasnoyarsk was founded in 1628 and is the largest of the ancient cities of Siberia. Located on both banks of the Yenisei River, in the gorge between the West Siberian Plain, the Central Siberian Plateau and the Sayan Mountains, the city has become an important economic, educational and cultural center of Eastern Siberia. During the Soviet years, Krasnoyarsk became one of the country's largest industrial centers, with non-ferrous metallurgy, the space industry, mechanical engineering, and the chemical industry especially developed here. The city was awarded the Order of the October Revolution, the Order of Peter the Great and the honorary title "City of Labor Valor".

Today Krasnoyarsk is one of the largest cities in Russia with a population of more than 1.2 million people, making it the sixth largest city in the country. The city is an important transport and logistics center, more than 150,000 students study here, and a large scientific center of the Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences operates. Krasnoyarsk is known as the capital of the XXIX World Winter Universiade 2019, and various sports are developed here, including biathlon and winter sports. The city is characterized by a compact territory: its length is about 41 km from west to east, and almost 37 km from north to south.

Volgograd is one of the most important cities in Russia, founded in 1589 as the Tsaritsyn fortress. The city has a rich history: in the XVIII-XIX centuries it became an important industrial center due to its convenient location on the Volga River and a developed railway network. In 1925, it was renamed Stalingrad, and since 1961 it has been called Volgograd. The city is known all over the world for its heroic defense during the Battle of Stalingrad (1942-1943), for which it was awarded the honorary titles of "Hero City" and awarded the Orders of Lenin, the Red Banner, and the French Legion of Honor.

Modern Volgograd is a large administrative, industrial and cultural center with a population of more than 1 million people, the sixteenth largest city in Russia. The city stretches along the Volga for 85 kilometers and consists of 8 districts. Volgograd is known for its monumental monuments, among which the main one is the sculpture "Motherland is calling!" on Mamayev Kurgan. The city has developed mechanical engineering, metallurgy, oil refining and chemical industries. Volgograd is also an important transportation hub through which railways and highways pass, and the river port provides connections to all river ports in Russia.

Chelyabinsk was founded in 1736 as a fortress, and received city status in 1743. It is located on the border of the Urals and Siberia, on the eastern slope of the Ural Mountains, along both banks of the Miass River. By the 19th century, the city had become one of the largest shopping centers in the Urals, and after the advent of railway communication with Moscow in 1892, the whole of Russia. During the Soviet period, especially during the Great Patriotic War, Chelyabinsk became famous as the "Tankograd", becoming one of the largest industrial centers of the USSR. For his contribution to the victory, the city received the honorary title of "City of Labor Valor."

Today Chelyabinsk is the eighth largest city in Russia with a population of more than 1.1 million people. It is a major administrative, cultural, economic and political center of the Ural Federal District. The city covers an area of over 500 km2 and is divided into 7 districts. The metallurgical, machine-building and defense industries are developed in Chelyabinsk. The city is the starting point of the Trans-Siberian Railway in the west. In recent decades, Chelyabinsk has faced certain difficulties in the field of ecology, urban improvement and economics, but continues to be an important industrial and cultural center of the country.

Rostov-on-Don was founded in 1749 by decree of Empress Elizabeth Petrovna. Initially, it was a settlement at the fortress, called Rostov. In 1796, it received the status of a city, and later, to distinguish it from ancient Rostov, it became known as Rostov-on-Don. The city is located in the south-east of the East European Plain, on both banks of the Don River, 46 km from its confluence with the Sea of Azov. For the courage and steadfastness of the inhabitants during the Great Patriotic War, as well as for successes in economic and cultural construction, the city was awarded the Order of Lenin (1970), the Order of the Patriotic War I degree (1982), and in 2008 received the honorary title "City of Military Glory."

Modern Rostov-on-Don is the largest city in southwestern Russia, the administrative center of the Southern Federal District and the Rostov Region. It is the eleventh largest city in Russia with a population of over 1.14 million people. The city covers an area of 348.5 km2 and is divided into 8 districts. Rostov is an important administrative, economic, cultural, scientific, educational and industrial center of the south of Russia. It is informally called the "gateway of the Caucasus" and the "capital of Southern Russia." The city has the status of a regional capital and is a major transport hub. In 2018, Rostov hosted the World Cup matches.

Krasnodar was founded in 1793 by the Black Sea Cossacks as a military camp, and then the fortress of Yekaterinodar. The city got its name as a gift from Empress Catherine II to the Black Sea Cossacks of the Kuban land. It is located on the right bank of the Kuban River, in the southern part of the Kuban plain. Since 2003, the city has demonstrated one of the highest population growth rates in Russia. For his services during the Great Patriotic War, Krasnodar was awarded the Order of the Patriotic War I degree (1980) and the Order of the Red Banner of Labor (1984), and in 2020 received the honorary title "City of Labor Valor."

Modern Krasnodar is one of the largest cities in southern Russia with a population of more than 1.1 million people, making it the twelfth largest city in the country. The city covers an area of about 300 km2 and is divided into 8 inner-city districts. It is an important economic and cultural center of the North Caucasus and the Southern Federal District, the center of the historical and geographical region of Kuban. The city has a well-developed food and processing industry, the production of vehicles, oil refining, and the chemical industry. Krasnodar accounts for about 40% of the Krasnodar Territory's GRP. The city is also a major shopping center, accounting for about 40% of the region's retail trade turnover.