The article examines how cities in Russia are connected and how this relates to the country's regional policies. It looks at the size of cities, their functions, and transportation access. The study shows that Russia is moving towards a new regional planning phase, shifting from industrial planning to territorial development. The country is focusing on growth poles instead of equalizing budgets. However, there is a disconnect between economic policies and spatial planning, leading to uncertainty about the role of cities in national and global competition. The research is based on analyzing planning documents and population settlement patterns in Russia.