This paper discusses the results of Run N€1 of the NICA Accelerator Complex, including beam formation and injection complex equipment upgrades, the technological launch of the Collider systems and its engineering infrastructure, including the launch of the large-scale cryogenic system of the accelerator complex, the technical details of the first beam run at the NICA Collider, and the optimization of xenon beam circulation, as well as the achieved intensities and other measured beam characteristics in the Collider. The first circulation of a xenon beam in the Collider's lower ring was achieved on January 11, 2026. On February 12, simultaneous circulation of colliding xenon beams in the Collider rings was achieved, ensuring the same frequency of particle bunch circulation in each of the Collider rings and synchronization of their passage at the collision point in the MPD detector region.

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Keywords: ion collider, superconducting magnets, heavy ion beams PACS: 25.75.−q, 29.20.db (all) DOI: 10.3367/UFNe.2026.03.040109 URL: https://ufn.ru/en/articles/2026/4/c/ Citation: Butenko A V, Lebedev V A, Syresin E M, Trubnikov G V "Commissioning of Collider NICA and formation of first heavy ion beams" Phys. Usp. 69 (4) (2026) Received: 5th, March 2026, accepted: 11th, March 2026 Оригинал: Бутенко А В, Лебедев В А, Сыресин Е М, Трубников Г В «Запуск коллайдера NICA и формирование в нём первых пучков тяжёлых ионов» УФН 196 383–387 (2026); DOI: 10.3367/UFNr.2026.03.040109