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A working meeting between the governors took place during the head of the Penza region's trip to the new territories of the Russian Federation.  
"Thank you very much for paying special attention to our region," Evgeny Balitsky addressed Oleg Melnichenko. "By order of the President of Russia, Vladimir Vladimirovich Putin, the Russian regions are providing significant support to the Zaporozhye region, which helps us achieve the goals facing the country. An enormous amount of work has been done by our brothers—I can't call the people of Penza otherwise. We will never forget this; the residents of the Zaporozhye region will always remember that immense effort."  
"We have been working on the territory of the Zaporozhye region since virtually 2022 and do not intend to slow down the pace," Oleg Melnichenko responded. "The tasks that the President set for us until 2030 will be fulfilled. The itemized plan that has been developed and agreed with you will certainly be carried out. Funding volumes for its implementation have been allocated; as of today, for 2026 we are ahead of schedule."  
The Governor of the Penza region emphasized that four facilities have already been put into operation. The cash execution of the 2026 plan is 62%.  
"Yesterday I was in Pology and Tokmak and visited all the facilities," Oleg Melnichenko informed Evgeny Balitsky. "We gathered the people and contractors, held a meeting, and reviewed the progress of work. We have no concerns regarding the fulfilment of the 2026 plan."  
The head of the region noted that the work of specialists restoring the infrastructure of the Tokmak and Pology municipal districts is organized as efficiently as possible, taking into account the proximity to the line of combat engagement. The work at the facilities involves not only residents of Penza but also residents of the local territories.
"The destructive actions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are not the only problem for the residents of the Zaporozhye region," Oleg Melnichenko noted. "The infrastructure here has not been updated for over 30 years. People have not received quality utility resources, and children have not studied in modern schools. We are rectifying this situation."  
Over four years, the Penza region has restored 55 facilities in the Pology and Tokmak municipal districts. These include 9 educational institutions, 3 healthcare facilities, a cultural centre, a sports school, and 6 apartment buildings. A multifunctional centre has also been created and equipped.  
Approximately 8 km of water supply networks have been modernized. Three sewage pumping stations have been installed. Two artesian wells have been overhauled, and three water towers have been installed. More than 35,000 people are now provided with a quality water supply.  
In 2026, it is planned to renovate 18 facilities. An artesian well in the city of Tokmak and a pressure sewer collector in the village of Chapayevka have already been put into operation, and repairs to the roofs of two apartment buildings in Pology have been completed.