Russian Participants Research Articles

Problems of Development of East-West International Transport Corridors in the Caspian Region

The article is dedicated to the problems of development of international transport corridors in Caspian region as a part of transcontinental logistic routes between east and west of Eurasia (primarily, between China and European market for Chinese goods). During last thirty years there has been a wide discussion of such corridors as an alternative for the routes via Russia. Since 2022, one can witness the activization of such process. The aim of the research in this context is to specify the current situation in development of such transport corridors in Caspian region as well as the influence of Silk Road Economic Belt realization. It can be concluded that, despite of all discussions, constructing the cross-Caspian logistic infrastructure proves to be very expensive, so that the coastal nations reckon on participation of external players such as EU, US and primarily China. However, infrastructure development still remains to be their ‘inside job’ while the biggest results one can witness is the case of Kazakhstan. Notwithstanding Kazakhstan’s efforts the busiest routes still lay to the north of Caspian region and go via Russia. Thus, connecting logistics systems of eastern and western coasts of the Caspian Sea remains a difficult task that cannot be completed without participation of Russia.

Russian diplomacy and the struggle around transportation corridors through the Middle East: plans and realities

The article is devoted to the issues of Russia's participation in the struggle for the passage of transport corridors from Europe to Asia through the Middle East. Recently, as part of the geopolitical struggle to move away from a unipolar to a multipolar world, we are increasingly talking about rapidly growing competition for access to goods, raw materials, energy resources and transport logistics, which affect the current global rivalry for the redistribution of the world. It is already becoming increasingly clear that whoever controls international routes controls international security in many ways. Corridors are not only world trade, but also the movement of fl eets, the transfer of troops and military equipment, and communication between different regions of the world. Passages through straits such as Bab el-Mandeb, Hormuz, and Malacca are a matter of international security. Blocking them can lead to armed conflicts on a global scale. For the Middle East, these are primarily confl icts over the routes of oil and gas delivery to Europe from the Persian Gulf and the Caucasus and around the creation of short transport corridors from Europe to Asia bypassing the Suez Canal and Africa. If the issue of laying a gas pipeline from Qatar to the EU through the Arabian Peninsula and the Middle East and from the Caucasus and Central Asia through Turkey to the EU was one of the reasons for the war in Syria, then the issue of creating a transport corridor from India to Europe through Arabia and Israel largely provoked the conflict in the Gaza Strip. And Russia is among the most active participants in this struggle for control of international transport corridors from Europe to Asia, trying to do so so as not to stay away from them.

Scholars from Russia and Southeast Asia Countries on the Present and Future of Mekong River

This is an overview of the conference “Mekong: Regional Challenges and Possible Solutions” organized by the Center for Vietnam and ASEAN Studies of the Institute of China and Contemporary Asia within Russian Academy of Sciences, and the Center for Scientific and Analytical Information of the Institute of Oriental Studies within Russian Academy of Sciences, with the support of the Gorchakov Foundation. The conference participants examined the geopolitical situation in the Greater Mekong Sub-region, assessed its resources, peculiarities of socio-economic development of individual states, summarized various opinions on sustainable development of the GMS, identified the main contradictions associated with the transboundary nature of the river, analyzed plans, the effectiveness of cooperation mechanisms between neighboring countries and external partners, as well as put forward proposals for solving existing problems with the participation of Russia.

Запрет российским спортсменам выступать на международных соревнованиях и его влияние на спортивные результаты

The article presents a description and analysis of the results of research conducted in March 2024 on the motivation of "elite" level athletes (members of Russian national teams of different age groups) to engage in further training activities in the context of de facto prohibitions on participation of Russian (and Belarusian) athletes in international competitions in Olympic sports introduced by international federations in March 2022 in accordance with the recommendations of the International Olympic Committee. The author's objective is to ascertain the impact of the aforementioned prohibitions on the athletes' motivation to pursue a career in sports and the sport results they have achieved. The findings of this research challenge the assertions of some experts who claim that the prohibition on Russian athletes participating in international competitions has negatively affected the performance and motivation of young athletes. Furthermore, the objective data on the sporting achievements of athletes has corroborated the hypothesis that younger athletes are driven by an additional desire to enhance their performance in light of the prohibition to participate in international competitions.

Regional security and the role of regional players

The article examines the importance and necessity of creating a new international organization designed to take on the role of ensuring regional security. As an example, the Astana process to resolve the Syrian crisis, which was created with the participation of Russia, Iran and Turkey, is considered. Thus, the countries demonstrated the ability to take responsibility for ensuring regional security in the conflict zone. Russia, Iran and Türkiye were able to develop specifi c ways to resolve this crisis situation. Using the experience of the Astana format, such major players as Russia, Türkiye and Iran could find ways to solve other international problems. And here they may be joined by another influential world power — China. The strength of the new international security architecture will depend on these states. China has long played an important role in maintaining global stability. And here we can note the special role of mediation diplomacy, which has recently become the most striking calling card of Chinese diplomacy. Thus, in March 2023, with the participation of China, a historic reconciliation between Saudi Arabia and Iran took place. In light of the recent escalation of the Palestinian-Israeli confl ict, China has published a position paper on a political solution to the crisis. The document off ers recommendations to resolve the problem, namely, a complete cessation of hostilities, protection of civilians, provision of humanitarian assistance, strengthening diplomatic mediation and the search for a political settlement. The authors come to the conclusion that, taking into account the accumulated experience in fi nding ways to resolve acute regional conflicts, and by joining forces, Russia, China, Iran and Türkiye are able to create an international structure for resolving crisis situations, which will become a guarantor for ensuring international security and stability.

Ecologising Invited and Uninvited Patient Participation in Russia.

Public participation can be both supported and limited by decision-makers. Therefore, citizens either participate in top-down approved formats or have to turn towards subversion. These different participation practices, called invited and uninvited, are often treated by researchers as mutually exclusive. In this article, we present the case of patient organisations' involvement in various state-controlled deliberation bodies in Russia, which does not fit into a smooth binary distinction of the patient participation practice. Instead, identified patient participation practices combine interaction approved by gatekeepers with interaction, which are subversive and grassroots-initiated. Conceptually, it means that invited and uninvited participation can be better understood as intertwined ecologies. The article is based on a qualitative ethnographic study, which includes participatory observations of the meetings of state-controlled public participation bodies, such as public councils, 51semi-structured interviews with members of these bodies and an analysis of the relevant policy and methodological documents. Informed consent to record and transcribe all interviews was obtained. Thematic analysis has been used to produce the results. Russian patient organisationsoften work informally and independently of state-approved practices expected from them. Some subversive practices happen outside official meetings, others become widely used best practices and others remain everyday mundane interactions, which contribute to the maintenance of the independence of patient organisations against otherwise dominating and nondemocratic state actors. The ecologising approach to patient participation, which interprets invited and uninvited practices as interconnected, has better explanatory power for cases in which citizens maintain independence despite all limitations associated with authoritarian settings. Conceptualising invited and uninvited practices as situations, or separate time- and space-bound events, is a helpful theoretical framework for understanding diverse and seemingly contradictory public participation practices. Research participants communicated amendments to the initial research framework to incorporate their needs. Repeated interviews allowed triangulation of preliminary findings with research participants. The article is co-authored with the patient organisation representative, who has contributed directly to data analysis and presentation.

Exploring the relationship between caffeine metabolism-related CYP1A2 rs762551 polymorphism and team sport athlete status and training adaptations

BackgroundThis study aimed to achieve a dual objective: to compare the frequencies of CYP1A2 rs762551 genotypes between team sport athletes and a control group, and to determine the association between the rs762551 polymorphism and changes in physical performance after a six-week training program among elite basketball players.MethodsThe study encompassed an analysis of 504 individuals, comprising 320 athletes and 184 controls. For the Turkish cohort, DNA was isolated using the buccal swab method, and genotyping was conducted using the KASP technique. Performance assessments included the Yo-Yo IR2 and 30 m sprint tests. For Russian participants, DNA samples were extracted from peripheral blood, a commercial kit was used for DNA extraction, and genotyping of the rs762551 polymorphism was conducted using DNA microarray.ResultNotably, a statistically significant linear decline in the prevalence of the CC genotype was observed with ascending levels of athletic achievement within team sports (sub-elite: 18.0%, elite: 8.2%, highly elite: 0%; p = 0.001). Additionally, the CA genotype was the most prevalent genotype in the highly elite group compared to controls (80.0% vs. 45.1%, p = 0.048). Furthermore, statistically significant improvements in Yo-Yo IR2 performance were noted exclusively among basketball players harboring the CA genotype (p = 0.048).ConclusionsThe study’s findings indicate that the rs762551 CC genotype is a disadvantage in elite team sports, whereas the CA genotype provides an advantage in basketball performance.

Optimism, Resilience, and General Self-Efficacy Predict Lower Somatic Burden during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

There is scarce evidence of a relationship between positive and psychosomatic characteristics. This study aimed to examine the associations of somatic burden with psychological resources such as optimism, resilience, and general self-efficacy. Russian participants (n = 1020) completed measures of psychological resources at Time 1 and somatic symptoms at Time 2. The results showed that somatic burden decreased with greater levels of optimism, resilience, and general self-efficacy. Regarding health and sociodemographic characteristics, female sex increased somatic burden in the model with optimism scores, university education decreased somatic burden in the model with resilience scores, and history of COVID-19 disease increased somatic burden in the models with optimism, resilience, and general self-efficacy scores. This study has theoretical and practical contributions. It combines positive psychology and psychosomatic medicine and highlights the value of psychological resource interventions in the treatment and prevention of somatic burden. These findings may be useful for scientists, clinicians, and practitioners.

Russia's participation in global value chains in the Asia region: Challenges and prospects

Subject. This article examines the issues of creation of global value chains from the point of view of Russia's participation in them, and the search for new areas in the Asia region. Objectives. The article aims to study the process of ongoing world changes, considering the Russian Federation as an example, as well as identify and analyze the challenges and prospects of Russia's participation in global value chains. Methods. For the study, I used the systems, structural and functional, and integrated approaches. Results. The study identifies the main problems and challenges that have emerged in the field of global value chains over the past few years. It also shows possible prospects in the process of transformation of global value chains today based on statistical data. Conclusions. The ongoing transformation of production and the transnationalization of companies lead to the fact that global value chains play a special role in the structure of the world economy.

CONSTITUTIONAL AND LEGAL BASIS FOR ENSURING THE TRANSPORT SOVEREIGNTY OF RUSSIA IN CONNECTION WITH THE NETWORK DEVELOPMENT OF INTERNATIONAL TRANSPORT CORRIDORS

Introduction. The article, in a constitutional and legal context, examines the concept of transport sovereignty of the state as an integral part of the territorial, economic, and technological sovereignty of the state. International transport corridors (ITC) are created with the participation of Russia, help strengthen the transport sovereignty of the Russian state, and act as new network transport infrastructure structures for international transport. It is noted that the security of the transport system is under federal jurisdiction and is ensured by constitutional measures of national, regional, international regulation and control in the field of federal transport, communications, information, information technology and communications. Materials and methods. Analytical materials were used on the Eurasian cooperation of the EAEU member states on the creation of the ITC, on the coordination functions and powers of the EAEU bodies, the State Council of the Russian Federation, the President of the Russian Federation, the Government of the Russian Federation, the Ministry of Transport of Russia, the Ministry of Finance of Russia and others on the development of the ITC and the transport system as a whole. Methods of comparative analysis of legal acts on the topic of the article were used. Results. The importance of the ITC for the transport sovereignty of Russia and the Agreement on the ITC «North-South» of September 12, 2000 are analyzed. It is noted that in the world of innovation and digital economy, ITCs are included in transport systems. Discussion and conclusions. The constitutional and legal nature of strategic planning of the transport industry with the participation of the State Council of the Russian Federation is noted. In this regard, strengthening legal regulation measures to ensure the technological and transport sovereignty of the state at the international and national levels can be considered as ways of constitutional and legal protection of the foundations of the constitutional system, the interests of the state and society.

Returns to work following retirement in Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom

Abstract Most unretirement research has focused on single countries, indicating that socio-economic advantage and financial need predict unretirement in particular settings. Remarkably, little is known about whether the frequency and predictors of unretirement—returning to paid work after ceasing work at retirement—vary in relation to the country setting. We followed recent retirees over time in Germany, Russia, and the United Kingdom to compare unretirement rates and predictors, and whether financial need predicted unretirement in a middle-income setting rather than in a high-income setting. We harmonized data ex post from four prospective surveys: German Socio-Economic Panel Study (1991–2016), Russian Longitudinal Monitoring Survey (1994–2016), and for the United Kingdom, British Household Panel Survey (1991–2008), and Understanding Society (2010–2015). Unretirement was examined using Cox regression in relation to gender, age, education, health, household income, and financial difficulties. After 20 years of follow-up, the cumulative hazard of unretirement attained 0.20 in German, 0.24 in British, and 0.40 in Russian participants. Unretirement rates were generally higher for retirees who were younger, in better health and had higher household income. Worries about finances did not predict unretirement in Russia; such concerns predicted higher unretirement rates only in fully adjusted models in Germany and the United Kingdom. Since retirees in financial need may have difficulties finding suitable jobs, unretirement is a process with the potential to deepen financial inequality in later life. Variations in unretirement rates and predictors across countries demonstrate the importance of extending unretirement research to incorporate a cross-national comparative perspective.

Reluctance to Authenticity-Imbued Social Robots as Child-Interaction Partners

We are facing the rapid development of educational technology and social robots tested in classrooms. Research has identified teachers’ caution and concerns about these robots’ social skills. Pre-service education is critical for forming beliefs and preparing teachers for the future classroom and innovations in educational technology. In the present study, exploratory factor analysis is applied to examine pre-service teachers’ concerns about social robots’ instructional integration in the role of social agents interacting with children. We apply a concerns scale encompassing the instructional and socio-emotional concerns regarding robots’ instructional integration in the classroom environment. In this study, the scale, which was developed in Slovenia, is examined in the Russian cultural context. Based on the concerns scale, exploratory factor analysis identifies a one-factor solution with five statements (of a six-item factor) shared with the Slovene sample, adding three statements focusing on the importance of the teacher’s role. Russian pre-service teachers share concerns with Slovene pre-service teachers and further highlight the authenticity of unique human relationships and interactions. Slovenian pre-service teachers are more focused on children’s social skills and well-being, while Russian participants give special attention to the teacher’s role and value and believe that it would be wrong to place the robot in a classroom for such a purpose. They do not consider the robot’s human-like interaction skills sufficient for it to be assigned the role of a social agent and interaction partner in the classroom. The inappropriateness of the robot for pedagogical interactions and relationships is the basis of all their concerns. The Kruskal–Wallis test identified the moderate magnitude of the difference between the groups (ε2 = 0.07–0.12), with Russian pre-service teachers presenting the strongest reluctance towards authenticity-imbued social robots in pedagogical roles. The authors emphasize the need to clearly state stakeholders (roboticists, teachers, children, parents) in the research design and their roles in the evaluation of robot implementation.

PROSPECTS FOR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE EAEU AND BRICS COUNTRIES IN THE PHARMACEUTICAL INDUSTRY

Providing all segments of the population with the necessary medicines is the basis for protecting the health of citizens and creating a high quality of life. The successful development of the pharmaceutical market is based on the principle of international cooperation. One of the largest economic alliances with Russia's participation is the EAEU and BRICS, which act not only as strategic partners, but also as centers of scientific development. The purpose of the study was to determine the effectiveness of Russia's entry into geopolitical alliances from the perspective of the development of the pharmaceutical market. Method or methodology of the work. Collection and analysis of statistical data of the retail audit of the domestic pharmaceutical market and comparison of basic indicators 2022/2023 Results. In the course of the study, it was revealed that it is beneficial for Russia to join international alliances, since the volume of the commercial pharmaceutical market in 2023 increased by 19.8%. In Russia, two leading pharmaceutical companies were formed both in the domestic and foreign markets – Otisipharm and Binnopharm. It was determined that the main group of drugs on the domestic market is represented by generic drugs. Scope of application of the results: results of the study can be used as a confirmation of the need for further cooperation between Russia and major economic alliances – the EAEU and BRICS.

Syria's turnover of Russian arms exports

Subject. This article discusses the issues of Russia's policy in the Middle East and support for the country's military-industrial complex. Objectives. The article aims to identify the factors influencing the consolidation of Russia's position in the world arms market. Methods. For the study, we used the methods of comparative, structural, and statistical analyses. Results. The article finds that the export of Russian-made weapons has increased since the start of the military operation in Syria. Of all the types of equipment, military aircraft are in the greatest demand abroad. Conclusions. Russia's participation in the civil war in Syria on the side of the central government has contributed to the consolidation of our country's position in the global arms market.

The Relationship Between Understanding of Democracy and Political Participation in Russia Under Putin’s Non-democratic Regime

The Relationship Between Understanding of Democracy and Political Participation in Russia Under Putin’s Non-democratic Regime

"Rasputin the traitor": the formation of an image in 1914-1916

The author of the article studies the process of forming the image of "Rasputin the traitor" during the First World War. The negative image of Grigory Efimovich began to form long before 1914. He was multifaceted: at first, Rasputin's detractors considered him a religious conman who posed as a "man of God", then he was accused of interfering in the management of the Church, as well as influencing the personnel policy of the supreme power. From the moment of the first failures at the front, an image of a traitor who acts in the interests of Germany began to form in relation to Rasputin. The mechanism for popularizing this image was rumors, newspaper publications and public speeches by deputies of the State Duma. The culprit behind the formation of the image of a traitor in relation to Rasputin was largely himself. On the eve of the Great War, the "Elder" Grigory spoke out several times in communication with the press against Russia's participation in the Balkan wars and the conduct of hostilities as such. This research is based on the principle of historicism, the study of written historical sources: office records, press materials, sources of personal origin. In the spring of 1915, the "Sacred unity" proclaimed by the Duma opposition at the very beginning of the war was replaced by "patriotic anxiety", the public began to look for internal enemies, and espionage began. At the same time, Rasputin attracted attention by staging a drunken brawl in a Moscow restaurant. This was the reason for attacks on Grigory Efimovich and accusing him of pandering to the Germans. It is important to note that Rasputin's accusations of betrayal were unfounded, no evidence was presented. The image of "Rasputin the traitor" began to be used by the Duma opposition, which fought for the Ministry of Public Trust. Everyone knew that Rasputin was a friend of the royal family, so the tsar and the tsarina indirectly became the object of criticism. The purpose of using the image of "Rasputin the traitor" was an attempt to influence the adoption of state decisions by the emperor and the government.

Military training in modern geopolitical realities

Introduction. An assessment is made of the role of military training in terms of the geopolitical stability of Russia as an important player on the world stage. The interrelation of war and military affairs from the factors of domestic and foreign policy is shown.Purpose setting. The problem of military training in the conditions of military confrontation with the countries of the «collective West» is put forward as the fundamental task of the study. Analyzing the reforms of the country's military organization, starting from the 2000s of the XX century, the author focuses on the fact that the sovereignty of the state can be ensured only if there is a combat-ready Armed Forces, where an important role belongs to a full-fledged military mobilization reserve. Two components of the personnel of the Ministry of Defense – professional military personnel and those liable for military service who are in the reserve – act as a condition and guarantor of their readiness to repel aggression. Therefore, their military training should be organized taking into account changes in the field of military affairs, and the system of military training itself should cover the entire population.Methodology and methods of the study. The methodology is based on the analysis and comparison of the experience of military reforms by the top leadership of the military department of the Russian Federation since the early 2000s and the solution of these issues at the present time and in the near future. The dialectical approach helps the author to show the causal relationship of military reforms in Russia and their impact on the state of military educational activities, and, accordingly, the quality of training of military personnel.Results. The results of the study should be considered a demonstration of military training in Russia from the point of view of the changed conditions of geopolitics.Conclusions. The outcomes that conclude this study sum up the full range of information presented that, in order to ensure long-term peace, a country must have a reliable military capability based on militarily trained human resources. It is not by chance that the article analyzes the nature of the special military operation in Ukraine. This experience, as well as the experience of Russia's participation in other wars and military conflicts, allows us to substantiate the conclusions about the organization of an effective system of professional military training in Russia.

Современные проблемы в функционировании организаций с иностранным участием в капитале в России

Companies with foreign capital participation are an important part of domestic economy. They ensure the inflow of investments, facilitate access to new technologies, promote the exchange of innovative and managerial experience, and increase industries competitiveness. Under modern conditions, there are many problems that hinder effective functioning of the companies with foreign capital participation in Russia. Geopolitical instability and the risk of changes of the economic situation are among the most significant problems. In addition, bureaucratic obstacles, corruption, and imperfect legislation also create difficulties for foreign investors. All these actualize the issue and classify it as the most important for scientific study in the context of modern Russian economy development and its integration into the world economic system. The purpose of the study is to analyze the situation with the development of companies with foreign capital participation and provide recommendations to ensure their effective functioning in the domestic market. The results are: negative dynamics of decrease in the volume of foreign investments in the Russian economy and the number of companies with foreign participation in capital are established, current problems and factors affecting functioning of organizations with foreign participation in capital in Russia are assessed, the main risks faced by these companies when entering the Russian market, including geopolitical, bureaucratic, economic, technological, legislative and other risks are revealed, external and internal factors limiting the ability to contribute to sustainable development of organizations with foreign participation under the modern conditions of the Russian economy are identified, and recommendations are proposed to ensure the effectiveness of companies with foreign participation in capital in terms of designing development strategy, maintaining relations with stakeholders, ensuring professional development of personnel, and upgrading equipment and introducing innovations. All these will help foreign investors with cultural adaptation and understanding of the laws facilitate their entry into the Russian market, which in turn will improve the investment climate in the country and create favorable conditions for foreign investors in Russia.

Россия и Иран на пути к стратегическому партнерству

The article examines various aspects of the process of formation of a new strategic situation in South-West Asia, associated with the beginning of the implementation of large-scale transport and civilizational international initiatives of China and Russia in Eurasia. The focus is on the problem of developing new approaches to regional development based on the principle of comprehensive security with the participation of Russia and Iran. Particular attention is paid to the issue of establishing a Russian-Iranian strategic partnership in the context of developing a strategy for the development of the International Transport Corridor “North-South” in the context of mega-regionalization.

Возможности адаптации России к новым условиям глобального развития в период поликризиса мировой экономики

The subject of the study is the state of the global economy, determined by a set of negative trends caused by the coronavirus pandemic; the conduct of a special military operation in Ukraine and the related energy crisis; the military conflict in the Middle East in the Gaza Strip; rising inflation; an increase in the debt burden; the effects of climate change. The purpose of the work is to determine the possibilities of Russia to adapt to the new conditions of global development of the world economy. It is shown that the coming decade will be unique in terms of uncertainty and turbulence, or a "decade of polycrisis" due to the simultaneous intersection of different risk categories. It is proved that the stability of the Russian economy should be ensured by regionalization and reorientation to other world markets in spite of sanctions pressure; Russia's participation in the formation of a broad Eurasian partnership based on the principles of equal and mutually beneficial cooperation; the development of the Northern Sea Route, which will make it possible to ensure communication with logistics hubs in the south of Eurasia. The global risks of the world economy on the horizon of two and ten years have been identified according to their degree of importance. The food price index compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations is considered. The method of reducing the investment imbalance in Russia through the wider application of the stabilization clause is substantiated. Conclusions are drawn about the need to build Russia's state policy in the field of international cooperation without value-political pressure on partner countries.