Operations In Ukraine Research Articles

SOCIAL FUNCTIONS OF SELF-EMPLOYMENT IN MODERN RUSSIA IN THE PERIOD OF PANDEMIC, SANCTIONS, ISOLATION

In the article, the author presents a theoretical analysis of the social functions of self-employment in modern Russia during a pandemic, sanctions, and isolation based on a sociological study. The public sector, which has dominated Russia for a little less than a century, has practically given way to the private sector, forcing a new attitude to many facts, such as self-employment. The shadow market of the self-employed turns out for Russia, first of all, in huge, incomparable budget losses. The shadow labour market of self-employed citizens makes representatives of small and medium-sized businesses engaged in similar activities uncompetitive. Self-employment and this is a fact, is inextricably linked with corruption. At the same time, it should be noted that self-employment also performs positive social functions. First of all, self-employment regulates the labour market, does not allow unemployment to grow, and contributes to the survival of a large stratum of our citizens who, for various reasons, due to various life circumstances, found themselves below the poverty line. For several years now, thanks to self-employment in our society, the gap between the poor and the super-rich has been narrowing. Self-employment has played a significant role and will certainly continue to play in the context of the pandemic. The historic events of February 24 this year, related to the special operation in Ukraine, showed that thanks to the efforts of the leader of our country, the Russian army has already gained the ability to ensure the security of our Motherland for many years to come. And this is very important. Tough sanctions, an attempt at an economic blockade, and isolation of our state will allow us to create a model of a new economy based on our strengths. Now the key task for Vladimir Putin is precisely the solution to the issue of economic independence. Self-employment should again play a positive role in the abundance of sanctions and isolation, when tens of thousands, hundreds of thousands, and possibly millions of our fellow citizens have lost and continue to lose their means of subsistence in an instant.

INFORMATIONAL DIVERSIONS IN THE CONFLICT IN UKRAINE

Aim. To identify and classify the forms and methods of information war in the modern conflict in Ukraine (during the Special Military Operation).Methodology. The study was carried out using the methods of analysis, synthesis, generalization, and interpretation of the results.Results. The forms and methods of conducting information war in Ukraine during the Special Military Operation (strategic information operations, special propaganda, fake news, and operational games with the elites) are identified and classified. It has been revealed that the most prominent means of the information warfare is the special propaganda, the goals and methods of which have not changed since the Cold War; strategic information operations, which are operational combinations of foreign intelligence, in this conflict at the present stage are present only in the form of the so-called "Incident in Bucha". It has been established that fake news massively produced by the Ukrainian side and its Western "sponsors" is aimed at diverting the attention of the Russian side (forces and means of information warfare) from the real operational combinations conducted by the CIA and MI-6 ("diversion to an unusable object").Research implications. Information about the latest forms and methods of organizing and conducting information operations in the conditions of the Special Military Operation in Ukraine can be used in the work of state bodies responsible for organizing a systemic counteraction to information aggression by foreign states, and will also be useful to political scientists, political technologists, and specialists in countering destructive political technologies.

Current aspects of the wound process treatment using dressings (bandages)

The review provides information concerning the assortment of modern wound dressings (bandages) which are presented on the pharmaceutical market. The studied group of dressings varies widely in chemical composition and active pharmaceutical ingredients. It has been determined that the development of modern wound dressings provides for the realization of a complex effect on the wound process, which is achieved by the multi-layer structure of the dressing (bandages) with clearly defined functions of each component – the contact layer reduces adhesion to the wound surface; sorption layer provides irreversible sorption, retention and inactivation of wound exudate; pharmacologically active layer influences the main factors of wound process pathogenesis; outer isolating membrane generates wound occlusion. Conclusions. The events of recent years which related to the Anti-terrorist operation / the Joint Forces Operation in Ukraine indicate the unresolved problem of combat surgical trauma treatment. This is an important issue for the Medical services of the Armed Forces and the health care system of Ukraine. This necessitates expanding the range of wound dressing (bandages) with combined action for military medicine. It has been determined that the treatment in the purulent-necrotic phase of the wound process, it is advisable to use wound dressings with strong osmotic and antibacterial activity and low adhesion to the wound surface. In the second phase of the wound process, it is advisable to use wound dressings with moderate osmotic activity and a combination of antibacterial and reparative properties. In the final phase of the wound process, wound dressings should prevent drying of the wound surface as well as protect and stimulate the growth of granulations.

Russia and the West: Clash of energy interests through the lens of realist and liberal approaches

By the beginning of the 2010s, the powerful positive impetus inherent to the Russia-Western relations in the energy sector has waned. Substantial disagreements arose on all major issues of the agenda, from the views on the prospects for the Russian fuel and energy complex development and participation of foreign capital in it, to the implementation of concrete gas transportation projects and to assessments of opportunities for legal and institutional regulation of energy relations in Europe and the world. The Russian military operation in Ukraine in 2022 has greatly exacerbated all these tensions, rendering virtually impossible any form of cooperation in the energy sector. These circumstances raise questions about the driving forces, ideological imperatives, and the very logic of the energy policy development both in Russia and the West. The present paper compares two different interpretations of these issues based on insights from the realist and liberal theoretical frameworks. The first section highlights basic theoretical and methodological premises of these approaches in general and outlines their potential application to the energy issues in particular. Then the author assesses the explanatory potential of each of these approaches with regard to the key issues in relations between Russia and the West in the energy sector. The author admits that many steps taken by Russia, as well as the US and the EU can be well explained from the viewpoint of liberal approach (e.g. attempts of some EU countries to depoliticize energy cooperation with Russia or the EU measures to prevent monopolization of its energy market by Gazprom). However, political realism provides a more compelling explanation of previous dynamics of international relations in this field, their current state and prospects. The policy of energy transition, implemented by Western countries to lower their carbon dependence, fits particularly well the logic of the realist approach, although potential tensions between Russia and the West in that regard have not yet fully materialized.

Germany’s stance on the Nord Stream 2 project: Internal and external determinants

In recent years, Germany’s energy policy has been pursuing several long-term goals: not only to ensure energy security, but also to achieve energy transition and to become a major gas hub in the European Union. In that context, cooperation with Russia as a key exporter of natural gas to Germany was of particular importance. At the same time, relations between the two states showed contradictory dynamics. This became especially evident during the political struggle over the project of the new Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline. The author traces the evolution of the arguments of the key participants in the discussions sparked by the project in Germany before Russia began its special military operation in Ukraine and after it. The first section examines the positions of the main interest groups, leading political parties and regional authorities. The author shows that representatives from the business community and political forces related to them (SPD, CSU, part of the CDU and FDP) were generally inclined to support the project, albeit under certain conditions. The latter particularly included Russia’s guarantees for preserving gas transit through Ukraine. The human rights (legalist) group and eco-activists, affiliated with the Greens, partly the CDU and the FDP, took a much more critical stand regarding Nord Stream 2. Moreover, the federal government’s policy was greatly affected by a number of external factors. Germany made significant diplomatic efforts not only to coordinate its position with other EU countries, but also to overcome the resistance to the project from the United States and Ukraine. Nevertheless, the German government eventually managed through various compromises to advance the Nord Stream 2 project. The situation has changed dramatically after Russia’s recognition of the Donetsk People’s Republic and Luhansk People’s Republic. The German government halted the process of certification of Nord Stream 2. All major German political parties supported this decision.

A New Schism: Church Diplomacy and the Ukrainian Crisis

Introduction. This article analyzes the behavior of religious actors during the Russian Federation's special military operation in Ukraine. Ecclesiastical (church) diplomacy has gained a lot of attention from the media because of its attempts to resolve the situation. The Ukrainian crisis demonstrates that the relationship between religious actors and states is evolving from a secular model to a post-secular model, the general outline of which, however, has not yet been clearly formed. One way or another, the religious factor has become one of the key factors in the formula for analyzing and solving the Ukrainian crisis.Materials and methods. The theoretical and methodological basis of the study, in addition to general scientific methods, were special political science research tools - actor and institutional approaches, comparative method, case study method.Results of the research. The study revealed the key importance of Christian religious organizations, which more than others seek to participate in the resolution of the Ukrainian crisis and offer a variety of measures. At the same time, there is a commonality of positions between the official authorities of most states and the higher church hierarchs, based on their location. Such political interdependance of church and secular authorities has mixed consequences. Religious actors everywhere reduce the potential of their international political subjectivity. This is particularly noticeable in the case of the Russian Orthodox Church, which is substantially strengthening its position inside Russia but is becoming less influential outside it.Discussions and conclusions. We argue that the world political system will continue to drift away from the ideals of the Modernity and its secular principle. At the same time it is hardly possible to talk about archaization in the form of desecularization. Rather the Ukrainian crisis promotes a post-secular model, a new balance between religion, state power and society. Meanwhile, the confrontational nature of interaction between Christian churches during the Russian special military operation in Ukraine further weakens the ecumenical movement and generates new schisms between Orthodox churches. This also affects the identitarian profile of the societies of the Euro-Atlantic and Eastern European states, which is becoming more flattened.

Retroperitoneal Hematoma as a High-Risk Factor for the Development of Infection Complications in Patients with Colon Damage Due to Combat Penetrating Abdominal Injury (Data of Joint Forces Operation in Ukraine)

INTRODUCTION: Development of retroperitoneal hematoma (RH) accompanies 20% to 33% of penetrating abdominal injuries and almost never occurs isolated. It is usually accompanied by damage to other abdominal organs, which, in turn, affects the general condition of the patient and the development of complications, the probability of which reaches 20%. METHODS: An analysis was performed on 208 servicemen with penetrating gunshot wounds to the abdomen, which they received in eastern Ukraine from 2014 to 2021 and had colon injuries. All the wounded were male, aged 18 to 55. The average age was 33.2 ± 8.8. The wounded were operated. RH was diagnosed in 44 (21.2%) patients with colon damage. The distribution, depending on the severity of damage and RH zone to the colon is shown in the Table. Table. - Distribution of Retroperitoneal Hematomas by Zones, Depending on the Severity of Damage to the Colon Variable Zone 1 (central retroperitoneal space from the diaphragm above to the bifurcation of the aorta below) Zone 2 (lateral paranephric areas of the upper retroperitoneal department from the renal vessels medially to the lateral border of the parietal peritoneum) Zone 3 (below the aortic bifurcation) Grade I (contusion or hematoma without devascularization, partial thickness, no perforation) 3 0 1 Grade 2 (laceration < 50% of circumference) 3 8 4 Grade 3 (laceration > 50% of circumference without transection) 4 7 1 Grade 4 (transection of the colon) 0 1 4 Grade 5 (transection of the colon with segmental tissue loss, devascularized segment) 1 4 3 Total 10 cases (22.7%) 21 cases (47.7%) 13 cases (29.6%) RESULTS: From 44 wounded who had RH, 31 (65.9%) had complications, and 28 (63.6%) had infectious complications (IC; retroperitoneal abscesses and phlegmons of the retroperitoneal space). Among those wounded in whom RH was opened and drained during the primary operation (n = 5) IC were not observed. While among those who did not have a hematoma revision (n = 39), 28 wounded (71.8%) had IC. Wounded with damage to the colon without RH, the incidence of IC of the abdomen reached 23.2% (38 people from 164 who had damage to the colon without RH). CONCLUSION: The presence of RH in colonic damage in wounded with combat penetrating abdominal trauma is accompanied by a high risk of abdominal IC (63.6% in patients with RH vs 23.2% without, p ≤ 0.05).

Information and PR Support of Russia’s Special Military Operation in Ukraine: Major Trends and Lessons of the First Stage

The paper analyzes of the state of PR and propaganda work of the Russian side during the first stage (February — May 2022) of the special military operation (SNO) in Ukraine. In particular, the author emphasizes the undoubted combat successes of the Russian troops (“basis”). Nevertheless, he considers that in terms of the superstructure, Russian military and political leadership is underperforming, conceding to both Western and Ukrainian opponents. The specific concerns are about the problems of positioning the SMO in Russian society, image work to form a pool of heroes and cult people, as well as the counter-propaganda and interaction with information volunteers.

The Olympic Games and the “Soft Power” of the World’s Leading States

The article is devoted to the study of the role of the Olympic Games in the structure of the “soft power” of the state, as well as the transformation of the “soft power” tools associated with the Olympic movement in recent years. The article focuses on the political role of the initiatives to boycott the Olympic Games in Russia on the eve of the XXII Winter Olympic Games 2014 in Sochi and the XXIV Winter Olympic Games 2022 in Beijing, as well as the role of the Olympic agenda in international political discourse in the context of sanctions related to Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine.

The Olympic Games and the “Soft Power” of the World’s Leading States

The article is devoted to the study of the role of the Olympic Games in the structure of the “soft power” of the state, as well as the transformation of the “soft power” tools associated with the Olympic movement in recent years. The article focuses on the political role of the initiatives to boycott the Olympic Games in Russia on the eve of the XXII Winter Olympic Games 2014 in Sochi and the XXIV Winter Olympic Games 2022 in Beijing, as well as the role of the Olympic agenda in international political discourse in the context of sanctions related to Russia’s special military operation in Ukraine.

Controlling of Profit Distribution in Dividend Policy Shaping

The Russian stock exchange resumes its functions after a temporary break due to the special operation in Ukraine. A lot of companies tend to modify their finance behavior, for instance, methods of finance control are rather topical today, as both cash flow lines and approaches to dividend policy shaping are changing. The goal of the research is to identify dependence between dividend policy, key parameters of company work and investment behavior of the population. Today extra drivers of economic growth and tools of market stabilization are necessary. According to the theory of company value corporations would increase their capitalization and thus raise shareholders’ profits, while now shareholders are interested in developing a dividend portfolio, whose profits are comparable with deposits and investing into bonds. Finance behavior of market entities has altered, as des-intermediation is going down, further differentiation of tax rates took place, tax burden on investors (both legal entities and individuals) was optimized and investors were differentiated by finance groups with provision of adequate dividends for each group. The author points out that due to serious changes on finance market we need controlling of profit distribution and corporate dividend flows, as well as timely revealing of deviations in cash flows.

Challenges of Dispute Settlement through International Court of Justice (ICJ): the Case of Ukraine v. Russian Federation the Decision on Provisional Measures on Alleged Violation of Genocide Convention

This article aims to study the challenges faced by the ICJ in the international dispute resolution processes by analyzing the case between Ukraine v. Russia emphasizing the decision of the court on claims of provisional measures to stop Russian military operation in Ukraine. The qualitative approach was utilized in this research referring to both primary and secondary sources. The finding shows that ICJ has been facing challenges which is revealed in Ukraine’s case too. Regardless of the marvelous efforts of ICJ, state parties are quitting the jurisdiction of ICJ by rejecting the principle of international law of treaties. Besides, the gap in institutional independence in the process of election of judges has involved the veto power of the Security Council which is a political organ. Even more, the election of ad hoc judges is based on the intention of national representation. To this effect, the verdict on Ukraine’s claim has been decided by the split majority vote and judges’ individual independence in decision-making has been influenced by national interest, the political orientation of judges, ideology, and, diplomatic relations of states. The worst is that the judgment enforcement UN Security Council’s structural posture caused failure to execute decisions. Favoritism and intervention by unilateral sanction are also other problems. Therefore, the writer suggests the court demand a radical change to attain its intended object.

METHODOLOGICAL FOUNDATIONS FOR BUILDING A SYSTEM OF INDICATORS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF REGIONAL SYSTEMS

The development of modern socio-economic systems objectively implies a widespread use of indicative planning tools. In modern conditions, much attention is paid to indicators that characterize economic and national security. The purpose of the article: indicative planning of basic processes affecting the incomes of the population, acting as one of the foundations for safe and sustainable development of the state and its regions. The system of indicators grouped into six analytical blocks on the basis of the linear scaling method is studied in order to ensure their comparability. Within each block, the basic matrices of the following coefficients are drawn up: profitability, reflecting the indicator's degree of impact on the positive dynamics in the income of the population, sustainability – the impact on economic security, regionality – enhancing the strengths of the regional socio-economic system. On the basis of block matrices of coefficients and indicators used, an integral index of population income is calculated, and prerequisites are created for assessing the impact on their dynamics of sanctions adopted against the Russian Federation after the start of the special military operation in Ukraine. The proposed methodological approach can be used in indicative planning processes at various levels: national, regional, municipal, thereby ensuring cross-cutting comparability of indicative and strategic planning indicators.

СОЦИАЛЬНО-ЭКОНОМИЧЕСКОЕ РАЗВИТИЕ РЕГИОНОВ РОССИИ В УСЛОВИЯХ НОВЫХ САНКЦИЙ

The article examines the development of Russian regions in the context of sanctions in response to Russia’s special operation in Ukraine, adopted since March 2022 by the United States, the EU and other countries. The socio-economic consequences of sanctions and the main coping measures are analyzed. The options for mobilizing financial resources in order to implement counter-sanctions in regional development, minimizing the decline of public production on the basis of technological re-equipment, supporting the welfare of the population and preserving the Russian people under sanctions are being investigated.

REDUCING CLIMATE IMPACTS ON WATER RESOURCES AS THE LEGAL AND ECONOMIC BASIS FOR ENVIRONMENTAL SECURITY IN THE EU CANDIDATE COUNTRIES: THE CASE OF UKRAINE

As climate change is one of the greatest challenges of our time, the legal and economic issues of global environmental security deserve high praise. In the area of industrial competitiveness, where the negative effects of global climate change include floods and droughts, forest fires, and rising sea levels, climate change is highly problematic. Climate impacts affect public and private agricultural infrastructure (including the coastal zone), resulting in lost productivity and increased costs for agriculture. The article applies climate change on a global scale in the form of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions to determine how the mixtures and emissions of any one entity affect other areas (e.g., individual, community, company or country emissions). Exploring the theoretical and practical premises of climate change as a complex phenomenon, the novelty of this article is that it examines the current framework of the environmental-legal concept, not just the political implications of the legal framework. The research aim of the article lies in two dimensions: the European Union's current climate change policy framework (the climate and energy package, a set of climate change strategies and related policies targeting EU candidate countries); recent environmental operations in Ukraine as an EU candidate country under extraordinary conditions. This article examines recent changes in climate legislation and climate policy in EU member and candidate countries, as well as other highly developed countries, such as the United Kingdom, the United States, and China. Focusing on the impact of the EU Climate and Energy Package (2020 and 2030), this article examines the main implications of EU climate legislation regulating the EU Emissions Trading Scheme and promoting the role of renewable energy in global energy consumption and energy efficiency in general. As a result of this study, this analysis offers multifaceted conclusions based on the interaction of a number of current administrative acts on climate change and environmental policy on a global scale.

Modern development of the international system and its impact on the management of the national defense of the Russian Federation

The article analyzes the current state of the system of international relations in the context of the transformation of the modern world order. It is determined that cardinal changes in the system of international relations occur due to the destructive policy of the collective West led by the United States, aimed at maintaining a unipolar world and dominance in the world political process. Under these conditions, the new centers of world development, to which the authors include Russia, China and India, tend to pursue an independent and uncontrolled foreign policy, which is not supported by Washington. It is noted that the confrontation between the leading centers of regional and world development for global leadership is accompanied by the destruction of the architecture of international security and the unleashing of a new arms race. It is stated that during the presidency of D. Trump, the United States, trying to stop the economic development of China, unleashed world sanctions wars, which resumed with the greatest force after the arrival of the new US President D. Biden and the start of a special military operation in Ukraine. It is determined that the sanctions wars gave rise to global risks, to which the authors include the destruction of the institutions of international law, the support of the West for organized transnational criminal groups in the areas of drug traffi cking and the organization of illegal migration, the fi nancing and support of the United States and its allies of terrorist and extremist organizations, radicals and Nazis. Numerous examples of numerous sanctions imposed against the Russian Federation in the political, economic, military, social, legal and other spheres of public life are given, which required the states to coordinate their actions to ensure the national security of the Russian Federation, and the federal executive authorities to develop and apply numerous countermeasures against them. The modern activities of the military-political leadership of the Russian Federation are analyzed, which made it possible to neutralize the main challenges and threats to the Russian state, increase the level of the country's defense capability, and protect the main spheres of public life of Russian society from the destructive impact of foreign policy factors. The results are summed up and the authors make a forecast about the further development of the system of international relations, as well as the place and role of the Russian Federation in them.

The Scientific Community between Confusion and Reactionarity

Attempts to avoid discussing the catastrophic situation in science and higher education can have the most severe consequences for the country in wartime. The most important goal of the special operation in Ukraine is the nationalization of the elites. It was obviously not possible to nationalize the scientific community. The off–scale percentage of disapproval of thisoperation among scientists (85%) is quite an adequate assessment of the policy in the field of science and higher education. The legacy of Vladimir Vernadsky is now of particular importance. Being a hereditary opponent of the tsarist autocracy, and in Soviet times – a brave critic of the government and the dominance of official ideology, the great scientist clearly divided thegovernment and the country, which allowed him to always stand on patriotic positions, putting fundamental national interests, unchanged under any government at the forefront. If the planned economy in its Soviet outgrowth grew on domestic soil, then all the worst that destroys science, grossly deforming the value orientation of scientists and destroying the institution of reputations, came from the West. In the field of science, the West still retains its dominance to the greatest extent, having significantly lost its position in other areas – economy, politics, ideology, military power. The pro-Western orientation of most of our scientific community is due precisely to this dominance, and not to devotion to the great ideals of science, whichwere betrayed in the West much earlier than at us. These ideals require the maximum degree of separation between the science and the politics, but in practice there is a tendency to mix them. The revolutionary transformations in the country not only open up a huge front of work for science, but will allow it to dramatically increase its social status. However, this requires scientists to return resolutely from internal emigration. It is necessary to move not to the side of power, but to constructive opposition. The latter presupposes close cooperation with the authorities in some issues with its harsh criticism in others

MARKETING FACTORS OF THE TOURISM MARKET’S OPERATIONS IN UKRAINE

Aim: The article is devoted to analyzing marketing factors of the tourism market operations in Ukraine under martial law. Methods: The study used the method of secondary data analysis. Results: The authors determined that the tourism market always reacts very sensitively to crisis events (pandemics, devastating natural disasters, political or military crises, etc.) and highlighted the changed format of the tourist market in Ukraine in the conditions of the protracted Russian-Ukrainian war. The authors identified the main factors of the current market of tourist services in Ukraine under martial law conditions. The functioning of the tourism market during the war is strategically important for the state and citizens. Conclusions: The authors summarized the experience of the tourism sector of countries that have been through a similar crisis and became leaders in the regional markets of tourist services to implement it in Ukraine effectively and determined the main factors of the functioning of the market of tourist services in the segments of domestic and inbound tourism after the victorious peace and innovative directions of recovery and further development.

The structure of social anxiety in Russian society: gender emphasis

The article presents the structure of Russian citizens' anxiety in the gender context, focusing on the attitude of Russian women to the economic and social policy conducted by the authorities, self-assessment of their financial situation, expectations and vision of the future. The material is based on the data of the 52nd stage of the All-Russian monitoring "How are you, Russia?", conducted with the participation of the authors in May 2022 by the Institute of Socio-Political Research of FCTAS RAS. It shows the convergence of men's and women's value judgments due to the increased social and economic activity of women. At the same time, there is still a traditional difference in the level of income, as well as in the distribution of gender roles according to the archetypes "woman = keeper of the family home" and "man = strategist, thinking globally. Respondents of both sexes expressed equally minimal concern about the topic of the special military operation in Ukraine, with women showing serious concern about the economic consequences of the current foreign policy. In the structure of their anxiety, problems of rising prices, economic sanctions, deteriorating relations with the U.S. and Europe, and, as a consequence, fear of an uncertain future lead the way. Lack of stability and uncertainty decrease the loyalty to the power structures among female respondents, who are the most vulnerable in the current situation, slightly increasing the level of protest activity in parallel.

Review: On the Importance of Military Geoscience

Review: On the Importance of Military Geoscience