In a recent interview, Vadim Badekha, CEO of the United Aircraft Corporation (UAC), revealed that Russia is developing a prototype supersonic passenger aircraft at the Zhukovsky Research Center. This project has progressed beyond theoretical designs and is now focused on creating tangible hardware. Badekha expressed confidence in the Zhukovsky Research Center's ability to successfully complete the prototype. The initiative has garnered interest from airlines, indicating a future fleet of supersonic jets primarily targeting business and first-class travelers. The aircraft is designed to fly at supersonic speeds while mitigating the loudness of sonic booms and minimizing noise pollution near airports. This announcement comes just ahead of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF-2026), which runs from June 3-6 and addresses themes of global economic stability and development. The forum includes various programs aimed at fostering new economic models, with Saudi Arabia as the guest country.