The Russian Football National League 2, commonly abbreviated as FNL 2, constitutes the third level of the Russian football league system. It acts as a vital bridge between the fully professional FNL and the semi-professional regional leagues below. The competition is divided into several groups—typically four, based on geography—such as West, Center, South, and East, to manage Russia's vast territory. Each group winner earns direct promotion to the FNL, with additional promotional spots often decided through playoffs between group runners-up. Founded as the Second Division in 1992 and restructured into FNL 2 in 2021, the league is headquartered in Moscow. Its format sees clubs within each group play a balanced schedule, usually around 30 matches. The influence of FNL 2 is deeply regional, serving as the highest level of football for many cities and fostering local talent. Clubs here often operate with modest budgets, focusing on youth development and scouting overlooked players. The league's champion in each group is the primary honor, symbolizing a successful campaign and the hard-earned right to compete at a higher professional level the following season.