A Quantum Computing Breakthrough in Russia: 70 Qubits and Near-Perfect Accuracy

Why This Matters Beyond the Lab

In December 2025, Russian science delivered a milestone with the potential to reshape the country’s technological trajectory. Scientists at the P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences successfully demonstrated a domestically developed quantum computer based on ytterbium ions and equipped with 70 qubits. The key achievement was near-perfect precision: 99.98% accuracy for single-qubit operations and 96.1% for two-qubit operations. These figures place Russia’s quantum platform among the world’s leading systems and confirm its ability to compete in the global race for quantum technologies.

Quantum computers are not simply faster versions of classical machines. They are designed to tackle problems beyond the reach of even the most powerful supercomputers, from modeling complex molecules for drug discovery to breaking and designing cryptographic systems and optimizing global logistics networks. The breakthrough at the Lebedev Institute is therefore not only scientific but strategic. It gives Russia a pathway to develop its own quantum infrastructure, reducing dependence on foreign technologies in critical sectors ranging from defense to the financial system.

From Isolation to Technological Autonomy

Just three years ago, the outlook appeared far more challenging. In 2022, Russian researchers lost access to about 97% of international scientific journals. Instead of stagnation, the situation triggered a push toward internal development. National publication platforms emerged, domestic scientific collaboration strengthened, and support from the Russian Science Foundation increased. By 2024, the Lebedev Institute had already presented prototypes of planar ion traps, a key technology for scaling quantum systems. Today’s 70-qubit result represents a logical continuation of that path.

We have learned how to build quantum computers and work with large-scale systems, and that is what we have confidently demonstrated today. As far as I know, no one in the world has demonstrated 70 qubits on volumetric traps. Achieving the 70-qubit level is an important stage before moving to planar technologies, which are linked to further increases in the power of ion-based quantum computers. This year, as part of our roadmap, our group demonstrated the trapping of single ions in a planar ion trap and carried out single-qubit operations in planar ion traps. We are very satisfied with the 70-qubit result, but we are focused on continuing to develop more powerful quantum processors and on their practical application

Ilya Semerikov

Research Scientist at the Laboratory for Distributed Quantum Technologies for Machine Learning, P. N. Lebedev Physical Institute of the Russian Academy of Sciences, PhD in Physics and Mathematics

From the Laboratory to Industrial Scale

Russia’s quantum sector now faces clearly defined objectives: increasing the number of qubits, raising two-qubit operation accuracy to 99%, and integrating quantum computing into real-world industries. Government programs such as “Science” and “Digital Economy” could serve as catalysts for this process. As early as 2028, researchers expect a transition from experimental setups to prototypes capable of solving applied problems in materials science, energy, and defense. By 2030, the first domestically developed quantum solutions could reach the industrial market.

Russia on the Global Quantum Stage

The global quantum race is no longer limited to the United States, China, and the European Union. Russia is entering the field as an independent technological player. This not only strengthens the country’s scientific standing but also opens prospects for exporting quantum technologies, particularly to partner nations seeking alternative IT solutions. The high operational accuracy achieved at the Lebedev Institute is a key factor in building international trust in Russian-developed systems.

The Beginning of a New Era

A 70-qubit quantum processor is more than a record. It is a signal to the world that Russian science has not only endured under conditions of isolation, but has also produced a competitive technology for the future. The challenge ahead is complex but achievable: turning a scientific breakthrough into an economic and strategic advantage. Based on the pace of recent progress, Russia appears well positioned to pursue that goal.