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 DOI: 10.17587/it.27.115-124 A. G. Abramov1, Ph. D., Leading Researcher, e-mail: abramov@runnet.ru,  A. A. Gonchar2, Deputy Director, e-mail: andrey.gonchar@jscc.ru,  A. V. Evseev1, Director, e-mail: evseev@runnet.ru,  B. M. Shabanov2,  Dr. Tech. Sci., Director,  e-mail: shabanov@jscc.ru, The paper systematized  up-to-date information on the status of work to ensure the functioning and  development plans of the new generation National Research Computer Network  (NIKS), created in 2019 according to the results of integration of RUNNet and  RASNet — telecommunication networks in the fields of higher education and  science of Russia. The normative grounds and prerequisites for the creation of  a unified research and education network in the country are presented. The key  characteristics of leading foreign national research and education networks are  given. The parameters of the telecommunications infrastructure and network  connectivity of NIKS as of the current moment, examples of services developed  in the interests of the Russian R&E community are indicated. Special  attention is paid to the presentation of the main directions of the accelerated  development of NIKS for 2021-2024 and expected results. P. 115–124Acknowledgements: The work was carried out at the MSC RAS within the framework of state assignment No. 0580-2021-0014 
 
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