Russia’s Far North-East capital cities: Can shrinking cities be centers of development?

Subject. This article discusses the development of cities that are the capitals of the Magadan Oblast and the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug, namely, Magadan and Anadyr, respectively.
Objectives. The article aims to determine the role of Magadan and Anadyr in the spatial transformation of the Far North-East of Russia and assess the barriers to their development.
Methods. For the study, I used historical, comparative, and statistical analyses.
Results. The article describes the strategic importance of these cities, due to the specifics and patterns of development of resource regions and reveals the real economic opportunities of the capital cities, considering Magadan as a case study.
Conclusions. Magadan and Anadyr can become centers of development of the surrounding area in the process of spatial transformation of the northern regions. The results of the study can be used to develop strategies for the advancement of the regions of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation.