The article presents analysis of the phenomenon of self-identification of youth of the Khabarovsk territory in the context of special military operation to demilitarize and denazify Ukraine (SMO, special operation). Based on the results of monitoring sociological studies, hypotheses of the relative impact of special operation on the self-identification of young people in the Khabarovsk territory are being tested. It is shown that against the background of SMO, young people demonstrate generally stable socio-psychological state, although part of it expresses a certain concern and anxiety with these events. The results of analysis of the impact of special military operation on changing the youth consciousness in terms of choosing authoritative personalities and leaders for themselves confirmed a high level of confidence in the Russian President V.V. Putin as a person who is able to influence its behavior and be a guide in life. It is justified that young people with the Far-Eastern and Russian type of self-identification are more involved in the provision of humanitarian assistance to the residents of Donbass, Russian servicemen and volunteers in the zone of the SMO, more often support the decision to conduct special military operation and have fewer acquaintances (regarding the global type of self-identification) who left for another country for permanent residence due to the start of special operation. The results of research and the main conclusions can be used to update state and municipal projects (programs) aimed at increasing the level of conscious and responsible self-identification of youth and the further development of youth policy in the Khabarovsk Territory.