Where Is Russia's Government? Moscow, the Kremlin & Beyond

Russia's federal government is overwhelmingly concentrated in Moscow, the capital since the 15th century (with a brief St. Petersburg interlude, 1712–1918).

Key Institutions in Moscow

• The Kremlin: Fortress complex housing the President's official residence (Senate Palace), the Presidential Administration, and the Security Council.
• White House (Bely Dom): Russian Government (Cabinet) headquarters on Krasnopresnenskaya Embankment.
• State Duma: Lower parliament house on Okhotny Ryad.
• Federation Council: Upper house on Bolshaya Dmitrovka.
• Ministries: Clustered along central arteries — Tverskaya, Nikolskaya, Ilyinka.

Notable Exceptions

• Constitutional Court: Relocated to St. Petersburg in 2008 (Smolny Institute).
• Supreme Court: Moscow (Ploshchad Sverdlova).
• Regional offices: Every ministry maintains federal district outposts (e.g., Yekaterinburg for Urals, Novosibirsk for Siberia, Vladivostok for Far East).

Why It Matters

Moscow's dominance reflects Russia's extreme centralization — ~70% of federal civil servants work there. Decentralization talks recur but stall; the Kremlin's physical and symbolic weight keeps power anchored in the capital.