Eastern Border Research Articles

Piloting an Oral History Approach to Investigate Cancer Perspectives Among Residents of Appalachian Kentucky.

Kentucky ranks first in the U.S. in overall cancer incidence and mortality rates. Areas of the state that fall within the Appalachian Region, along Kentucky's eastern border, experience disproportionately high rates of cancer compared to non-Appalachian counties. Purpose: This pilot study investigates whether oral history interviews can be used to understand perspectives on cancer among residents of Appalachian Kentucky. In 2020, participants (n = 5) who identified as being from and/or having strong connections to Appalachian Kentucky were recruited to participate in this pilot study. Participants included individuals working in cancer-related fields, oncology professionals, and those with personal cancer experience. Using an oral history approach, subjects were asked about challenges within Appalachia that contribute to high rates of cancer regionally. Interviews were analyzed using qualitative content analysis, and data were condensed into themes, subthemes, and subtopics. Relational content analysis was then used to illustrate relationships between the problems being faced in Appalachia and their contributing factors, with potential solutions to those problems. Six key themes emerged from analysis of the oral history interviews: (1) problems being faced in Appalachia; (2) contributing factors; (3) potential solutions; (4) Appalachian disposition; (5) experiences with and thoughts on cancer; and (6) defining success v. the future without changes (intervention). A further 25 subthemes were identified from within these themes. Taken together, these themes and subthemes point to potential areas for specific intervention to shift Appalachia's cancer burden. This pilot study demonstrates potential benefit in using oral history interviews to elucidate Appalachian Kentuckians' perspectives on cancer. From the nuanced insights gained through this method, a set of culturally appropriate interventions were identified that could address the disproportionate cancer burden in the region. Future studies using an oral history approach could aim to reveal other specific aspects of how cancer impacts individuals, families, and communities.

New records of Spotted Bass, Micropterus punctulatus, within the Mississippi River Basin, Illinois.

Spotted Bass Micropterus punctulatus, like many sport fishes, have experienced range expansion through intentional introductions (i.e., legal stocking and illegal transfers) and migration across the United States. In Illinois, USA, native populations of Spotted Bass occur along the eastern and southern border of the state. We report new records of Spotted Bass in their non-native range of the Illinois Waterway and the Illinois portion of the Upper Mississippi River in addition to collections in their native range in the Illinois sections of the Ohio and Wabash rivers to better understand their current distribution. Continuous, collaborative efforts to track the distribution and expansion of non-native fishes are important for maintaining and establishing native and non-native fisheries management objectives and education, as non-native fishes can influence native species population distribution and dynamics.

Meje katastrskih občin pod Krimom: po sledeh meje med Bistro in Engelshausi iz leta 1726

The borders of the cadastral municipalities that are still valid today are, in many cases, based on much older landowners’ borders of feudal lordships. Thus, in central Slovenia, in the forests below Mount Krim, we find the old boundary marks representing today’s cadastral municipality of Preserje, based on the former border between the Carthusia Bistra and the Ig estate from 1726. The main purpose of this paper is to present the current state of the preserved boundary marks along this border. The preserved boundary marks are about 80 cm high, have carved sequential letters, the year 1726 and coats of arms of the Carthusia Bistra and the earls Engelshaus (the owners of the Ig estate at that time). In 1748, this boundary was adopted as the boundary between the Notranjska (Inner) and the Gorenjska (Upper) districts of the Carniola region in the Habsburg Monarchy. As part of the Franciscan cadastral survey in 1823, this border was used as the border of cadastral municipalities, and it has retained this role until today. On the Franciscan cadastral maps, we find eleven locations numbered with the year 1726 and the consecutive letter from B to M. Today, at these locations, we can still find two original boundary marks decorated with coats of arms and the year 1726, two destroyed original boundary marks and three probably later replaced boundary marks without inscriptions and coats of arms. We also examined locations on the even older eastern border of the Carthusia Bistra, on which today mainly only post-war trigonometric points of lower orders can be found; only on the Smrekovec hill under Rakitna did we find another older boundary mark without additional inscriptions or coats of arms.

FEATURES OF THE ARCHITECTURAL AND SPATIAL ARRANGEMENT OF TARAKANIV FORT

The study of Tarakaniv Fort, the largest defensive fort in Ukraine, which has survived to this day with partial losses of material substance as a result of military operations, which is decaying under the influence of atmospheric factors, is extremely relevant in our time, when the country is in a state of war. The purpose of the article is to analyze the planning and architectural-spatial structure of the Tarakan Fort, to reveal its architectural-constructive features, to determine the current technical condition and to propose a functional adaptation. The outpost fort was of great strategic importance for the defense of the eastern border on the eve of the First World War at the end of the 19th century. 20th century A powerful fortification object was built according to the drawings of the outstanding military fortification engineer E. Totleben in 1860-1890. The head of the construction of the main structures of the fort was the engineer colonel Borisov, the modernization of the fort was carried out under the leadership of Belikov. The analysis of the latest researches and publications showed that the unique engineering and fortification complex of the Tarakan Fort-outpost is practically unexplored, without archaeological excavations and thorough research. The monument of defense architecture refers to the monument of military architecture of local importance and has great architectural value. In the process of research, the main factors of the construction of the Tarakan Fort were determined. The article examines the peculiarities of the layout and spatial arrangement of the fort in the village of Tarakaniv near the city of Dubno, Rivne region. Three stages of formation of the structure of the fort-outpost complex are defined. The functional and constructive solution of the "Dubno" fort outpost complex was considered and analyzed. The modern state of the defensive structures of the Tarakan Fort was studied. In order to preserve the monument of defensive architecture, a program of priority repair and restoration measures was developed and it was proposed to adapt the researched outpost fort to a tourist function.

Гнездовые группировки орлов на ключевой орнитологической территории «Чинк Донызтау» в 2022 году

Гнездовые группировки орлов на ключевой орнитологической территории «Чинк Донызтау» в 2022 году

Il confine orientale d’Italia: realtà antiche e contemporanee a confronto. Un’introduzione

In this brief introduction, the three organisers of the conference The eastern border of Italy from Roman times to the Treaty of Osimo, between reality and ideology, which was held in Bologna on 5th November 2021, explain the reasons for the scientific meeting and identify some guidelines for interpreting the historical problem of Italy’s north-eastern border, with particular reference to the topics touched upon by the papers presented at the conference and published here.

КРИЗА НА КОРДОНІ БІЛОРУСЬ-ЄС ТА РОСІЙСЬКІ ПЛАНИ ЩОДО ВТОРГНЕННЯ В УКРАЇНУ

The main point of the study is to prove that the crisis on the Belarusian-European border was a jointly planned action by the special services of Russia and Belarus with the aim of provoking a crisis on the eastern borders of the EU and diverting attention from Putin's plans for a full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022. The article provides examples of the aggravation of the situation on the eastern borders of the EU, related to the illegal crossing of the border by migrants in 2015-2016 from Russia, as well as in 2021 from Belarus. In addition, the crisis on the Belarusian-Ukrainian border is mentioned. The reasons and goals pursued by Russia and Belarus, creating a migration crisis on the border with the Baltic states and Poland, are listed.

Тринадцать лет наблюдений за миграцией хищных птиц в Батуми: наблюдения и их значение для охраны пернатых хищников России

One of the most important autumn migration bottlenecks for birds of prey in the Western Palearctic is situated in South-Western Georgia, between the east coast of the Black Sea and the range of Lesser Caucasus. Every year from mid-August till October at least 1% of the world’s population of 10 raptor species passes through this corridor. Specifically, over one million raptors are recorded annually, including on average 528467 Honey Buzzards (Pernis apivorus), on average 163985 Black Kites (Milvus migrans), 304819 Steppe Buzzards (Buteo buteo vulpinus), and around 8000 Lesser Spotted Eagles (Aquila [Clanga] pomarina). The specifics of the landscape and relief makes the foothills of the Lesser Caucasus to the north of Batumi an ideal spot for counting raptor migration, and since 2008, an international team of volunteers, the Batumi Raptor Count, has monitored autumn raptor migration from two strategic vantage points. The count effort is focused on 7 priority species, including Honey Buzzard, Black Kite, Lesser Spotted Eagle, Booted Eagle (Hieraaetus pennatus), Marsh, Montagu’s and Pallid Harriers (Circus aeruginosus, C. pygargus, C. macrourus, respectively). In addition, 13 other diurnal raptor species and 10 non-raptor bird species are monitored at the BRC. Using the trektellen-app, BRC is able to record all data digitally in the field, and to provide daily updates of migration counts on its website. At the end of each season, the data is cleaned and made available through the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF). Protocols were developed to standardize count effort across years, thus allowing an accurate assessment of population trends in the priority species. Importantly, the BRC systematically records data on the age and sex of raptors, allowing to infer trends separately for different demographic groups. The standardized data collected from 2011 till 2019 revealed rather stable numbers for most priority species, but also a significant annual decrease in numbers of juvenile Montagu’s Harriers; a strong ongoing increase in numbers of both juvenile and adult Black Kites; and increase in numbers of adult Booted Eagles accompanied by a decrease in juvenile birds of this species. Based on GPS-tracking studies on a variety of species, it appears that the western border of the breeding area for the populations counted by BRC is most probably not too far away from the western border of Russia. At least in case of Spotted Eagles, individuals breeding in the Baltic States, Finland, and Germany tend to use the migration routes to the West from the Black Sea, and this is also the case for birds from Western Ukraine and Belarus. There is insufficient data available to define the eastern border for the populations migrating through Batumi. We do know that raptors tracked from the south of Siberia tend to migrate to the east from the Caspian Sea, although some Pallid Harriers tracked from Russia and Kazakhstan do migrate over the Caucasus. All considered, we assume that the vast majority of raptors observed in Batumi during autumn migration breed in Central European Russia up to the Ural Mountains. A comparison of Batumi counts with the breeding population size estimates in Russia and neighbouring countries suggests that a significant proportion of the Russian population of the Lesser Spotted Eagle and Honey Buzzard is passing through the Batumi bottleneck on migration. Trends in migration counts at Batumi are probably representative of changes in raptor breeding populations from European Russia and Western Kazakhstan. In addition to collecting the data on migration, the BRC supports the development of ecotourism in the area and combats the widespread poaching of migrating raptors in Georgia by implementing various educational programs in schools and higher education institutions in Georgia. The BRC would like to build stronger links with professional ornithologists and amateur birdwatchers from the breeding areas of the raptors that pass through Batumi each year, and cordially invites everyone to participate in its migration counts.

Ukraine War Refugees in Labour Market. Evidence from North-East Poland

Goal – the aim of the article is to identify and assess the labour activity of war refugees from Ukraine. Research methodology – the assessment was based on interviews conducted with working Ukrainian citizens who arrived in four North-East regions of Poland, which are also part of the eastern border of the European Union. Interviews with refugees were conducted using an author’s questionnaire written in Ukrainian. Score/results – on the basis of the collected empirical material, it can be concluded that the refugees are people of working age and well educated, which made it easier for them to find jobs, albeit inadequate for their learned professions. Most of them make a living from the salaries they receive. Thus, they can be considered entrepreneurial and resourceful Originality/value – many studies have focused on analysing the impact of forced migration on the labour market in host countries, indicating its both positive and negative effects. At the same time, there is a shortage of scientific studies resulting from empirical research relating to the employment situation of Ukrainian immigrants arriving in the country after February 2022. The issue of the labour market participation of Ukraine war migrants in Poland is still a relatively new research area, which requires systematic research and in-depth analysis in order to design the most effective measures.

The veneration of the Ostrobram icon of the Mother of God in the context of Lithuanian identity

The history of the creation and veneration of the image of Our Lady of Ostrobram is studied as a reflection of the processes of the forming Lithuanian national identity in its dynamics over several centuries. The author analyzes how the icon reflects the main ethnic markers, which include: territory, confessional affiliation, language, historical memory, ideas about the past and the future. Theories of the origin of the image and disputes about its confessional affiliation led to the idea of the formation of interconfessional dialogue and unity in diversity as a marker of the border and frontier zone. Within the framework of the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth, which united the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the Kingdom of Poland, the Ostra Brama was perceived as «Strażniczką Kresów», or the guardian of the eastern borders. The preserved historical songs, psalms and hymns dedicated to the Virgin Mary in Vilna emphasize the regional identity. However, at the same time, powerful integration processes in the Polish-Lithuanian Commonwealth led to the assertion of Polishness, which was reflected in fiction, where until the 1920s and 1930s the Ostrobram image was perceived as an integral symbol not only of Polish culture, but also of Polish history and statehood. As the conducted research has shown, the intensified aspirations of the local population for the rooting, the use of the national language and the political processes of the Lithuanian national revival led to the transformation of ideas about the image, which in the 20th century gradually becomes a symbol of Lithuanian rather than Polish. Nevertheless, it is still uncertain whether the Ostrobram Mother of God has become the state symbol of Lithuania as a nation or it remains the guardian of the local original culture and traditions.

Последствия вступления Финляндии и Швеции в НАТО для национальной безопасности России

The accession of Finland and, in the foreseeable future, Sweden to NATO shapes a new strategic and international political reality in the Scandinavian-Baltic region. The “Nordic balance” and the idea of this space as a “region of eternal peace” are irretrievably becoming the things of the past, posing a set of new challenges and threats to the Russian Federation. Russia has always taken into account the gradual withdrawal of Sweden and Finland from the policy of neutrality/non-alignment and their transformation into de facto associate members of NATO, although considered the threat of formal Alliance’s northern expansion as insignificant in the short and medium term. However, it is obvious that since February 2022, the arguments of doubling the length of Russia’s border with the alliance and the compelled military-technical response in this case have ceased to be considered in Sweden and Finland as significant in foreign policy and defense planning. The purpose of the article is to analyze the current security situation in the Scandinavian-Baltic region, scenarios for the accession of Finland and Sweden to the North Atlantic Alliance, and possible consequences for Russia. The methodological basis of the article is scenario analysis. The first and the most likely scenario assumes more active relations with the Alliance (increase in the number and scale of military exercises, strengthening of the eastern border of Finland, expansion of the Baltic Air Policing mission to Finland, etc.) without a significant increase in military deployment and infrastructure. Two other scenarios, which are possible with the further deterioration of the European security system, allow the deployment of nuclear weapons in the region as the last resort, although this seems extremely unlikely today. However, even in the case of accession in accordance with the first scenario, the Russian Federation might face a whole range of threats and challenges, including, but not limited to, the deployment of missile defense infrastructure and nuclear-capable weapon systems, an improvement of the conditions for strengthening the NATO’s military activities in the Arctic, the possibility of transferring a large amount of Sovietdesigned military equipment to Ukraine by Finland, etc.

Ukrainian and Russian Relations: An Analysis of the Post-Donbas Crisis

The article aims to assess the relationship between Ukraine and Russia since the Donbas crisis. The regional rivalry between Ukraine and Russia has largely contributed to the instability of Eastern Europe. The article describes the concerns of the geopolitical game of influence between the West, led by the United States, and Russia. The article explores Ukraine’s eastern border conflict as a live myth-making process. The study used the empirical and theoretical literature to find the objectives of this research. This article outlines the objectives of the Donbas region crisis output, Ukraine and Russia relations, and the EU sanctions against Russia, comparing the expectations of the political, economic and cultural aspects. The new conflict between Ukraine and Russia validates a new kind of geopolitical adventurism and blurs both the territorial and imaginary borders of the Russian state. As a result, the Ukrainian eastern crisis in the Donbas region has highlighted the fragility of the Russian national identity and the incompleteness of the Russian administration.

КАМ’ЯНІ ГРОБНИЦІ ЗРУБНОЇ КУЛЬТУРИ ПІВНІЧНОГО ПРИАЗОВ’Я (ЗА МАТЕРІАЛАМИ КОМИШУВАТСЬКОГО МОГИЛЬНИКА)

The article presents the results of research on the burials of the Late Bronze Age Zrubna/Timber-grave culture in the stone tombs of the barrow group near the village of Komyshuvate in the North Azov region in the south of Donetsk region of Ukraine. The article considers the ritual and inventory complex of burials through the prism of the created general register of burial mounds of the Zrubna/Timber-grave culture of the North Azov region. This allowed us to clarify and systematise the source base, to give a comprehensive formalised statistical description of the funerary sites, to consider some aspects of the social organisation, material and spiritual culture of the Late Bronze Age tribes based on the data of the studied necropolis. The article analyses the stone tombs of the North Azov region, which are divided into three main groups according to their design features. The distribution of funerary complexes made in different types of burial structures by horizons allowed us to clearly illustrate the previously identified chronological features that reflect the time of appearance of a particular type of grave. The Azov mounds are largely characterised by a variety of stone architecture. The area of distribution of burial mounds with stone structures is quite extensive. However, the use of stone in mound construction is unevenly distributed and is not typical for the whole region. The mapping method allowed us to identify the location of burials with stone structures in the immediate vicinity of the raw material base. These burial grounds tend to be located in the areas of the Donetsk Ridge and the Azov Upland, which are rich in open outcrops of natural stone. The Don Delta is the eastern border of the widespread use of stone in funerary rites. In the western part of the Donetsk Ridge, in the upper rivers of the Dnipro basin, the use of stone in mound construction was not practised. Large-scale stone structures in the mounds to the west of the Berda River also remain unknown. Stratigraphic observations and analysis of the ritual and inventory complex made it possible to establish with a certain degree of probability the sequence of construction of the mounds of the Komyshuvate burial ground and the burials made in them. Qualitative features manifested in the shape and proportions of ceramic vessels, material composition, surface treatment and ornamentation allowed us to attribute the ceramic corpus of the burials of the Komyshuvate cemetery to the second (developed) horizon of the Zrubna/Timber-grave culture cemeteries of the North Azov region. According to the proposed classification, tomb 1 of mound 1 of the Komyshuvate cemetery belongs to group I (tombs with vertical masonry walls), tomb 1 of mound 4 - to group II (tombs with horizontal masonry walls), and tomb 2 of mound 4 - to group III (combined tombs with horizontal and vertical masonry walls). Burial 2 of Mound 4 and burial 1 of Mound 1 can be confidently attributed to the second (developed) horizon of the Zrubna/Timber-grave culture of the North Azov region based on the ritual and inventory complex of features. The inlet stratigraphic position and the ritual and inventory complex of burial 1 of mound 4 allow us to attribute it to the final of the II (developed) or beginning of the III (late) horizon. The late horizon is characterised by inlet burials, less often by main burials in mounds, in ground pits under stone structures, as well as in classical tombs with horizontal masonry walls and combined stone tombs, which were most common in this period. In addition, the analysis of the materials allowed us to approach the problem of social reconstructions. Researchers have repeatedly pointed out that burials in stone tombs with horizontal and combined masonry walls are distinguished by their equipment and a set of ritual features as having a high social status. Thus, the construction in the form of a stone tomb is in itself extraordinary and a sign of social rank. Both burials of barrow 4 of the Komyshuvate cemetery demonstrate a number of deviations from the model of a regular burial of the Zrubna/Timber-grave culture of the North Azov region. The presence in the burial of a wooden bowl with a metal figured rim and a "ceremonial" ceramic vessel with a "calendar" motif are status signs marking the persons involved in ritual activities. The presence of traces of ritual actions outside the grave, a stone roof over a complex stone structure, excessive equipment and meat food (the honorary back part) are also clear indicators of the social extraordinariness of the deceased and signs of high rank. Keywords: North Azov region, archaeological research, Late Bronze Age, Zrubna/Timber-grave culture, barrow, tomb, stone architecture.

Трансграничность как стратегический фактор развития туризма и выставочно-ярмарочной деятельности на Дальнем Востоке России

Under the influence of globalization and international economic integration, borders appear to be a strategic resource for the development, especially for the border regions of the country, where cross-border spaces and institutions are basically formed. The development of cross-border cooperation in the tourism trade show industries and international cultural exchange is a strategic direction for diversifying the economy of the Russian Far East. The article provides a general analysis of the incoming tourist flow and an OTSW- analysis of the Far Eastern border regions of Russia to justify the need of the development of these strategic directions of macroregion’s economy.

Dynamics of spatial and ontogenetic structure of Cephalanthera rubra (Orchidaceae) populations in the east of European Russia (Middle Volga Region)

The assessment of the spatial and functional features of rare species populations without considering the ontogenetic groups, which are being rarely distinguished at international literature, does not give a complete understanding of the current status of populations and prospects of their development under various management conditions. This paper is aimed to determine the status of a threatened orchid species, Cephalanthera rubra, at the eastern border of its range (Republic of Tatarstan, European Russia). For this purpose, a complex of various population parameters was used. Ontogenetic groups of C. rubra individuals have been reliably identified on the basis of morphometric traits of reproductive and vegetative organs. The obtained results showed that the fruit set is low, ranging at average from 24% for young reproductive individuals (g1) to 39% for mid-mature reproductive individuals (g2); it reflects prospects for seed reproduction of this species at the eastern edge of its range. The abundance dynamics of populations has a fluctuation type; it is related to climatic factors of the growing season. So, we found its significant positive correlations with air humidity (from r = 0.6 to r = 0.7) and precipitation (from r = 0.5 to r = 0.6), and a negative correlation with temperature (from r = -0.5 to r = -0.6). In the Republic of Tatarstan, the base spectrum of C. rubra populations is of the centred type, 1:10:51:38 (j:im:v:g); it corresponds to the general ontogenetic spectrum of rhizomatous orchids. The spatial-ontogenetic structure of populations, and especially its dynamics, reflects the intraspecific relationships of various ontogenetic groups involved in maintaining the stability of C. rubra population in space and time. Under optimal conditions, the spatial structure of all individuals and reproductive groups is characterised by a spatial randomness, which probably reduces intraspecific competition. In contrary, pre-reproductive groups form aggregations with 0.5–0.9-m radius in microloci, favourable for seed germination. A characteristic feature of the spatial structure is the formation of aggregations of reproductive and pre-reproductive individuals with a 0.7–1.0-m radius with a 0.2–0.4-m zone of the random spatial positioning of individuals, which aims to reduce intraspecific competition between them. The probability of meeting an individual of another ontogenetic group increases towards the periphery of the formed aggregation. In C. rubra populations, the abundance and density of individuals, and the fruit set decrease in pessimal conditions of landslides, soil erosion, and habitat shading. Under these conditions, pre-reproductive individuals do not form aggregations, nor aggregations with reproductive individuals. In general, the spatial structure of a population depends on the life-form type of the species, the mechanism of spatial growth of underground organs; it is considered a diagnostic sign of the population status.

ВЕРТИКАЛЬНЫЕ ЗАХОРОНЕНИЯ СЕВЕРНОЙ ЕВРАЗИИ

At this point, eight burials with vertically positioned bodies in the burial chamber are known in Northern Eurasia from Central Europe to the eastern border of Western Siberia. There is one “stand up” burial at each of the following sites: near the village of Zarechnoe on the Ina River in the Ob River area, in the Tobol River area near the village of Pegan, at Ust-Aleika 5 burial ground on the Upper Ob River, and Central Europe, 80 km north of Berlin. The remains of four burials are known at Oleniy Ostrov burial ground on Lake Onega. Vertical burial grounds are characterized by some significant peculiarities. Bones of a child from Ust-Aleika 5 necropolis, female bones from Zarechnoe 1 burial ground, and, probably, from the burial near the village of Pegan were found in anatomical order. Female burial № 68 at Oleniy Ostrov burial ground can be considered vertical, too. The deceased was buried standing up there. A burial of a man in an upright position was found at a burial ground in Groß Fredenwalde. Biting marks and mixed condition of the bones reliably indicate that the upper part of the grave pit was open for some time. Accordingly, we can assume a similar rite (with the upper part of the grave opened) at burial № 68 and diagonal burials № 100, 123, and 125 at Oleniy Ostrov burial ground. Considering relatively sparse funerary equipment in vertical burials, an almost total absence of sculptural images, which, in our opinion, are more typical of shaman burials, and, probably, the practice of building half-open graves, we can assume that the deceased buried in “stand up” burials were not shamans. They were apparently revered according to the religious code in a special way due to certain mental or physical abilities or shortcomings, which is indicated by the example of a child with hydrocephalus from Ust-Aleika 5 burial ground. The vertically buried bodies were likely to serve as a kind of “guardians” at the necropolises, as evidenced by the burial at Groß Fredenwalde that was half-opened for some time, and, possibly, by the burials on Oleniy Ostrov.

“Всеобъемлющая концепция модернизации Бундесвера”

As a key regional player, Germany can make a significant contribution to the defense of NATO and the EU. By employing militarily and politically the essential ground forces, which can form the basis when organizing the defense of other members of the Alliance, in the context of the application of Article 5 of the North Atlantic Treaty, Germany’s policy on Bundeswehr reform and the costs of this reform deserve special attention. Whereas in the second track, the vector of work as well as the amount of military aid is very clear, in the case of the armed forces reform there are certain peculiarities. After a long period of stagnation and underfunding of the German Army, the trend is reversed. Today, the German politico-military leadership is striving to achieve more sovereignty and autonomy in the military sphere. As of 2022, the Bundeswehr is an active participant in NATO’s international missions and operations. It forms the backbone of the Alliance’s rapid reaction force in Eastern Europe, cooperating with other Eastern European states on the intergovernmental level. There is also an active partnership through Permanent Structured Cooperation (PESCO) in the context of the Common Security and Defense Policy within the European Union. The prospect of implementing the set of reforms opens a window of opportunity for Germany to increase its national politico-military capabilities in Europe, which could be realized in the field of consolidating the country as one of the regional hegemons. Besides, within the framework of the new NATO Concept, there is a provision of building up the rapid reaction force on the eastern border of the Alliance, which is actively supported by the Bundeswehr. This could lead to an even greater escalation of the conflict between NATO and the Russian Federation.

Дальние залёты обыкновенного (восточного) соловья Luscinia luscinia (Linnaeus, 1758) в Восточную Сибирь

The thrush (oriental) nightingale Luscinia luscinia was until recently an accidentally stray species in the Baikal Region. It was first recorded here in 1870 in the garden of the salt factory of Usolye town near Irkutsk. Despite quite intensive ornithological surveys of the territory, it has not been recorded here until now. And only in the second decade of the 21st century it was discovered in the basin of Lake Baikal. There is no doubt that this species has been missed by ornithologists and bird lovers due to the extreme rarity of flights and the low intensity of research in recent years. Based on long-term special studies of the bird population (2009-2023), with full coverage of all types of their habitats, we have recorded four meetings of the thrush nightingale on Southern Baikal near the village of Listvyanka (Irkutsk Region, Irkutsk District, middle reaches of Kamenushka Brook): June 13, 2017, June 15, 2019 and July 6, 2023 (two recordings). Undoubtedly, due to the noticeable warming of the climate in the second half of the 20th century, there has been a clear trend of expanding the ranges of many bird species to the southeast and northeast (the western flow of migrants). The expansion of the range of the common (eastern) nightingale was very slow. Nevertheless, over a century, this species, moving east from the junction of the Western and Eastern Sayan ridges, was able to reach the lake basin. Baikal, probably through the easiest and most frequently used flyway along the valley of the Angara River. The absence of this species in the western regions of the Cisbaikalia may be due to several reasons: low intensity of research, inaccessible and sparsely populated terrain near the eastern border of the range and the use of local areas with the most suitable habitats for the species for nesting. With a targeted survey of the most characteristic and typical nesting stations of the species, it can be detected fairly quickly in the western regions of the Cisbaikalia. Interestingly, on June 13, 2023, this species was discovered and photographed by amateur ornithologist Viktor Khazin in Transbaikalia (near the Borzya railway station). The pictures were presented on the Birds of Siberia website, were discussed quite intensively by ornithologists and, according to the general opinion, an the thrush nightingale was photographed with a high probability by the author. At the same time, the southern nightingale Luscinia megarhynchos, whose range covers the western outskirts of Mongolia and China, is more likely to meet here. Nevertheless, it is not excluded that the thrush nightingale from the basin of Lake Baikal will get here, as it was observed in a number of western bird species that have gone, often in isolated individuals, far to the east. Currently, the status of this species in Eastern Siberia can be characterized as a very rare stray species with unproven nesting even as episodic cases.

Hélène Sparrow-Germa, a Polish-French biologist in the Resistance at the Pasteur Institute

Hélène Sparrow-Germa (1891–1970) was a renowned French-Polish microbiologist, specialist in infectious diseases. Professor at the University of Warsaw, then member of the Pasteur Institute of Tunis, she was particularly dedicated to the struggle against typhus, having tried to get an effective vaccine to overcome the plague still deadly in the first years of the twentieth century. Hélène Sparrow devised an ambitious strategy, developing a sanitary fender on the eastern border of Poland against the spread of epidemics from Russia. The story of this French-Polish doctor is also repeatedly characterised by the ordeal of war. Willingly confronted with extreme and highly dangerous situations, Hélène Sparrow devoted herself to treating and helping wounded and sick soldiers, offering them protection and assistance. Often risking her own life, she showed a remarkable temerity reflecting her highly charismatic personality.

The Participation of Cadres from the Special Expedition for Underwater Works (EPRON) in Strengthening the Defense Potential of the Far Eastern Borders of the USSR in 1932—1942

The article is devoted to a poorly studied subject — the contribution of cadres from the Special Expedition for Underwater Works (EPRON) to strengthening their readiness to repulse an external enemy in the Soviet Far East in the 1930s and early 1940s. The study is based on archival materials, some of which are being introduced into scientific circulation for the first time. The main focus is on the specifics of the activities of EPRON’ cadres on the Pacific shores. Examples of works performed are given. The author comes to the conclusion that the participation of the EPRON in strengthening the defense potential of the Far Eastern borders of the USSR in the studied period 1932—1942 takes place during three stages closely related to the development of the fleet in the Pacific Ocean in the pre-war and first war years.