en.Wedoany.com Reported - The family farm "STM" LLC, owned by Vladislav Sadovnichiy in the village of Malaya Belozerka, Vasilyevsky District, Zaporozhye Region, continues to operate in the frontline area of the Russia-Ukraine conflict, cultivating 2,000 hectares of land primarily planted with wheat and lentils. After the Zaporozhye Region became part of Russia in 2022, Vladislav decided to stay in his hometown to continue his father's agricultural business. He registered "STM" LLC and expanded the cultivated area by signing contracts with former tenant shareholders. He stated that he never considered leaving and wishes to live and work on his own land.
His father's business is actively supported by his son Yaroslav, who has been co-managing the farm with his father for four years. Yaroslav, now 20 years old, effectively handles most of the farm's daily operations. Vladislav is responsible for strategic and organizational issues, while his son manages day-to-day affairs. Vladislav holds two higher education degrees in law, and his son Yaroslav is also studying law. This year, Yaroslav will enter university to major in agricultural technology, planning to study both fields simultaneously and manage the farm. Vladislav's 13-year-old daughter, an athlete, also helps during the harvest season by working at the scales. His wife is responsible for cooking for the entire family. In addition to family members, the farm also hires seasonal workers, but labor is tight in the frontline area.
The farm's harvest operations face threats from drones. Drones regularly fly over the village and crash into fields, causing fires. Vladislav plowed the land in advance and formed a fire brigade that patrols the fields day and night, using pre-stored water and fire beaters to extinguish fires. He is particularly grateful for the support from local military personnel, including assistance in firefighting and providing walkie-talkies, as mobile phone signals, internet, and electricity are frequently disrupted in the area.
The farm has harvested lentils, yielding 18 centners per hectare. In 2019, the average yield of this crop in Russia was 8.9 centners per hectare; this farm planted lentils for the second year thereafter. The farm's main crop is wheat, covering approximately 1,000 hectares. Harvesting has just begun, with an expected yield of 60-70 centners per hectare. The farm owner attributes the good results to adherence to technical standards and notes that the farm cooperates with the Kirov Stud Farm in Rostov Region, purchasing high-quality seeds of the "Grom" and "Yelanchik" varieties, originally developed by the Lukyanenko National Grain Center. The farm has 10 pieces of equipment, allowing for relatively fast harvesting, but still faces difficulties with mechanics and fuel.
Farm owner Vladislav Sadovnichiy stated that weather conditions in 2026 are significantly better than in 2025. From March to September 2025, no rain fell in the area, leading to extremely poor harvests for many farms. "STM" threshed 25 centners per hectare, suffering severe losses. Current weather is favorable for a good harvest, with warmth and regular precipitation. The farm received subsidies from the Zaporozhye Region's Ministry of Agro-Industrial Complex and Food Policy, and Vladislav particularly thanked the department head, Gennady Podshivalov. The tax authorities have also cooperated with the farm, helping to resolve emerging issues. Vladislav also serves as an assistant to a deputy in the region's legislative assembly, actively conveying farmers' views on key issues to authorities at various levels in Zaporozhye.
Regarding market expansion, Vladislav visited Syria in 2023 as part of a delegation, planning to organize grain sales through the port of Berdyansk. This plan has not yet been realized due to the change of government in Syria. In January 2026, he visited the Democratic Republic of the Congo to discuss exporting grain from Zaporozhye to that country and exchanging experiences between farmers of both nations. The farm also plans to do business with Turkey. In 2025, it planted pumpkins for seeds, but the harvest was poor due to drought. The plan will be reconsidered in 2027, and the farm also plans to plant drought-resistant crops such as coriander.
Vladislav is also involved in industry mutual aid. In early July 2025, he helped the "Donetsk" branch of the Russian Agricultural Center organize the transportation of combine harvester headers from Zaporozhye to the Donetsk People's Republic. Cooperation between "STM" and the Russian Agricultural Center also involves preliminary certification of seed fields, phytosanitary monitoring of crops, consulting on plant protection, and quality inspection of sowing materials. The operation of this family farm is a concrete implementation of the tasks set by Russian President Vladimir Putin and Zaporozhye Region Governor Yevgeny Balitsky to develop the region's agriculture and ensure food security.
