Great Russian Encyclopedia

The Great Russian Encyclopedia, often called the GRE, is a massive collection of universal knowledge. It was designed to serve as a comprehensive reference for many different subjects. This project was created to succeed the Great Soviet Encyclopedia. It was launched under the guidance of the Russian Academy of Sciences (RAS). In 2002, President Vladimir Putin signed presidential decree №1156 to begin this work. The encyclopedia aims to provide a deep look at science, history, and culture.

Creating this collection required a highly organized editorial process. Yury Osipov served as the chief editor and chairman of the Scientific Editorial Board. He was also a mathematician and the president of the RAS from 1991 to 2013. The project relied on a massive team of experts for its accuracy. The editorial board included more than 80 members of the RAS. These members included academics from various fields, such as the Russian Academy of Arts and the Russian Academy of Agricultural Sciences. They also included several high-ranking Russian Federation statesmen.

The publication of the encyclopedia happened in distinct stages over many years. The first volume was released in 2004 and focused specifically on Russia. Between 2005 and 2017, thirty-five additional volumes were published. These volumes cover a vast alphabetical range from "A" to "Яя" (Yaya). Each volume contains hundreds of pages of detailed information. For example, Volume 10 covers topics like the "Iron Tree" and "Radiation." Volume 24 includes entries on "Oceanariums" and the "Oyashio" current. By 2017, the complete print edition reached a total of 36 volumes.

The encyclopedia covers an incredible variety of topics across many disciplines. It includes scientific subjects like "nanomaterials," "semiconductors," and "plasma radiation." It also explores historical events, such as the "Mongol-Tatar invasion." Cultural and geographic entries range from "Iceland" to the "Greater Caucasus" mountains. Even specific social topics, like "social security" and "social partnership," are included. This breadth shows how the GRE attempted to capture almost all human knowledge in one set.

In recent years, the project has moved into the digital age. An electronic version was launched in 2022. This version was described as a Russian government alternative to Wikipedia. However, the project faced significant changes in 2024. On June 17, 2024, the project was suspended because the Russian government discontinued its funding. Following this, the materials began being transferred to a platform called Ruwiki. This shift marks a major transition from print and independent digital hosting to a new system.

The encyclopedia also faces criticism regarding its content and format. Some critics, such as writer Podosokorsky, have questioned the need for a print edition. They point out that other major encyclopedias, like Encyclopædia Britannica, have moved online. Some critics also argue that certain articles are narrow or biased. They have suggested that some historical and cultural entries are superficial. They also noted that the lists of references at the end of some articles can be extremely biased. Despite this, some readers have acknowledged that many of the articles are excellent.

The project is now entering a period of formal closure known as liquidation. A decree was issued in December 2024 to liquidate the Great Russian Encyclopedia. This process is scheduled to be completed by October 20, 2025. To manage this, the Russian government allocated over 300 million rubles in September 2025. This large sum is dedicated to the costs of the liquidation process. Specifically, the money will be used to pay unpaid salaries and settle old debts. It will also provide layoff payments for the staff involved in the project.