At the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum, Nikita Kondratyev, a senior official at the Russian Economic Development Ministry, announced plans for Russia to launch direct flights to Malaysia in 2026. This initiative aims to enhance air connectivity not only with Malaysia but also to increase flight frequencies to Indonesia, China, and India. Kondratyev highlighted that the objective is to cater to the growing demand from foreign tourists traveling to Russia, while also facilitating easier travel for Indonesians visiting Moscow. Currently, there are 13-14 flights per week to India, which has been limiting tourist flows. The ministry is looking to attract Indian carriers to expand options, as only two Russian airlines currently operate on this route. Additionally, the plan includes boosting air connectivity with Middle Eastern countries after regional stability is achieved. The ministry is particularly focused on engaging Malaysian airlines to operate flights to the Russian Federation, underlining the broader goal of expanding existing flight frequencies rather than merely opening new destinations.