Abundance of water and dense river network represent both important natural characteristics of Russia and a unique infrastructural resource for development in Russia and the Eurasian Union. Rivers have been the key factor for populating and making our country habitable, and this connection between settlements and the river network has been still persisting.  Moreover, the rivers in Russia have been always served as the routes of communication and also as the sources of energy and the natural foundation of life in the Russian territory.  

However, in the last decades, those functions of the Russian river network being very critical for safety and development of the country have been disregarded. 

The authors put forward a new ideology for socio-economic and geopolitical development in Russia. It is based on total redevelopment of the river network and prospective formation of an integrated system of deep water communications, utilization of hydraulic power, and system solution of all water issues faced by the country.  

They essentially propose a “river-based’ vision, where the “currently forgotten” rivers seem to appear out of customary perceptions as the new and very cheap resource of development.   

Based on the report submitted to the country leadership, it is suggested to organize development of the Russia’s River doctrine, with its following adoption. 

Authors: A.A.Belyakov, Yu.V.Krupnov, I.A.Mel’nik, A.O.Murashko, D.V.Panyukov, A.D.Petrushin, A.N.Tanaev. 

Leader of development process — Yu.V.Krupnov

Chief designer — A.A.Belyakov