Russian Regions Research Articles

STEATOHEPATITIS IN OBESITY CHILDREN

Steatohepatitis is hepatic steatosis with inflammation and, in some cases, hepatocyte balloon degeneration and fibrosis [1]. Steatohepatitis is a form of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), which includes a wide range of conditions: from non-alcoholic steatosis (NAS) -fat deposition in the liver of more than 5% of the parenchymal mass without signs of damage to hepatocytes to non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), which progresses with development fibrosis, cirrhosis and, in some patients, hepatocellular carcinoma [1]. The prevalence of steatohepatitis in the pediatric population, according to various sources, varies greatly. Thus, the recommendations of the North American Society of Pediatric Gastroenterologists, Hepatologists and Nutritionists (NASPGHAN) indicate that hypertransaminasemia occurs in 29-38% of obese children aged 2-4 years [1]. According to A. Sahota et al. [2], NASH was found in 12% of obese and overweight children. The joint recommendations for the diagnosis, treatment and preventionof obesity in children and adolescents of the Russian Association of Endocrinologists, the Russian Society for the Prevention of Non-Infectious Diseases, and the Association of Pediatric Cardiologists of Russia note that NASH is diagnosed in 12-26% of obese children and adolescents [3]. Obesity and overweight currently affect 25-30% of school-age children [4]. The situation is almost the same for preschool children. The COSI (Childhood Obesity Surveillance Initiative) study, conducted under the WHO programin Moscow in 2017-2018, summing up the dynamics of body weight for the entire preschool period, showed that among children aged 7 years, 27% of boys were overweight and 22% of girls, and obesity -in 10 and 6%, respectively [5]. Another Russian study assessing the physical development of children of middle and school age [6] also demonstrated a significant prevalence of obesity and overweight in this age group in Russian regions. Thus, at 11 years of age, obesity in boys was recorded in 18.6% of cases, ingirls -in 9.2%, and excess body weight -in 15.4 and 14.3%, respectively. At the age of 15, obesity was detected in 10% of cases among boys, in 3.6% of girls, and overweight in 11.5 and 10.5% of cases, respectively [6]. Based on these data, it can be assumed that the incidence of NASH in the pediatric population varies from 0.5 to 3%. It should be noted that the prevalence of obesity, and with it NAFLD, including NASH, is increasing throughout the world due to modern negative trends in the diet and physical activity of children [7].

Development of the Far Eastern Territories of Russia: from the Origins to Modern Realities

Relevance. In the conditions of the new world order, issues of state migration policy are of particular importance. The rapid development of the Far Eastern Federal District in the 21st century is determined by “absolute priority”. Therefore, the problems and prospects for technological and infrastructural development of the Far East require scientific understanding and social correction from all levels of state and municipal government. As prospects for minimizing the consequences of population outflow, a set of management measures is proposed, primarily at the federal level, which involves: providing a package of social preferences to all socio-demographic groups of residents of the Far Eastern Federal District; attracting human resources within the framework of the annually held competition “Leaders of Russia” and implementing in-depth scientific research on all socially significant projects. The purpose is to identify promising areas of managerial influence to minimize the outflow of population from the Far Eastern territories of modern Russia. Objectives: characterize the historical retrospective of the development of the Far Eastern territories; reveal cause-and-effect relationships, conditions and factors of population outflow; outline directions for minimizing negative migration consequences. Methodology. Research procedures are based on a synthesis of theoretical principles of the sociology of management and economics, using general scientific methods of comparison, analysis and synthesis. Results. A set of quantitative and qualitative sociological measurements was carried out, which made it possible to determine the "pain points" of migration policy in the Far East and the prospects for their resolution. Conclusions. Stratification differences between Russian regions in terms of basic socio-economic indicators require the federal level of government to take specific measures to minimize their consequences. Underfunding of technological and infrastructure projects in the Far Eastern territories leads to fragmentation of their implementation. Deep scientific expertise and public approval are necessary when developing federal and regional development programs for the Far Eastern territories.

Impact of External Shocks on Tax Revenue Stress in Russian Regions

Impact of External Shocks on Tax Revenue Stress in Russian Regions

Analysis of the influence of climatic conditions on the tax potential of Russian regions using cluster analysis

The tax burden of the regions is influenced by a whole range of factors, among which it is necessary to take into account the natural and climatic conditions. After all, the specialization of the regions, production capabilities, production volumes and, accordingly, the level of tax revenues to the consolidated budget of the Russian Federation depend on them. The article analyzes the tax potential of regions depending on the climatic factor. The subject of this study is a system of statistical indicators characterizing the natural and climatic conditions of the regions (temperature and precipitation in July and January for three years) and the economic results of their activities, including tax revenues to budgets. The aim of the work is to assess the influence of the climatic factor on the tax potential of the regions using the grouping method of cluster analysis. The research method is cluster analysis (k-means method), implemented using the R programming language and its packages, which allows combining regions according to the similarity in climatic conditions, while minimizing variation within groups and maximizing intergroup differences. The results of the study can be applied in the development of recommendations at the state level on optimizing the tax burden of regions for regions with similar conditions. The novelty of the study lies in the possibility of assessing and comparing the characteristics of regions with similar climatic conditions in terms of tax potential, which is necessary to develop measures for the development of regions and increase their tax potential. As a result of the study, the influence of the climatic factor on the tax potential of the regions and the need to take it into account in combination with other factors is proved.

Machine learning tools in the tasks of selecting the determinants of socio-economic situation and development potential of Russian regions

Subject. The article addresses the selection of determinants that are significant for assessing the level of socio-economic situation and development potential of Russian regions. Objectives. The aim is to study machine learning algorithms for the selection of determinants – predictors of the level of socio-economic situation and development potential of Russian regions, to build models of classification of regions, according to the level of socio-economic situation, using various machine learning algorithms. Methods. To build classification models, I used data from the Federal State Statistics Service, the Institute of Scientific Communications, the RIA Novosti news agency, and the TAdviser Internet portal. Procedures for data classification, model parameter estimation, selection of significant determinants and visualization of results are performed, using the basic functions of the PyCaret library. Cohen's Kappa statistics and Matthews correlation coefficient were employed as priority metrics for evaluating the model productivity. The algorithms for selecting determinants are implemented in the Google Colab analytical environment. Results. I constructed multiclass classification models based on simple and ensemble machine learning algorithms. Simple classification algorithms, including logistic and ridge regression models, naive Bayesian algorithm, decision tree, support vector machine, and k-nearest neighbor methods are characterized by accuracy values at 77%, however, Cohen's Kappa statistics and the Matthews correlation coefficient only show a satisfactory relationship between the actual and predicted value of the region class. Ensemble algorithms, including random forest, gradient boosting and extreme gradient boosting, are characterized by a close relationship between the actual and forecast estimates of the classifier at a level of more than 70%. Conclusions. The random forest algorithm is recognized as the most effective classification model. The gross regional product and investments in fixed assets are informative determinants for measuring the socio-economic status.

Assessment of the Impact of the COVID-19 Pandemic on the Economy of Russian Regions

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a serious impact on the sustainability of the social, economic and environmental development of countries and regions. Differences in the structure of the economy of the subjects of Russia and the rate of spread of infection give rise to an assumption about the spatial unevenness of the economic consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic. The purpose of this work is to determine the degree of impact of COVID-19 on various types of regional economies, taking into account industry specifics. The article presents the theoretical base of the study based on foreign and domestic sources, considers the spread of coronavirus infection in the regions of the Russian Federation using the indicator “total number of cases of COVID-19 (per 1000 people)”, the dynamics of the unemployment rate at working age in the regions of Russia in 2018–2021, the dynamics of economic growth in the regions of the Russian Federation and the dynamics of the growth rate of GRP by sectors of the economy during the COVID-19 pandemic, specialization of the regions of the Russian Federation. Based on the results of the study, the regions of the Russian Federation were ranked according to the degree of influence of COVID-19 on their economic sphere: a) regions whose specialization is determined by natural and geographical factors (with the exception of tourism) experienced the least impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; b) regions whose economies are highly differentiated, large industrial and financial enterprises are located on their territory, the economic sphere of this group of regions has experienced a significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, but recovery has been rapid; c) regions in whose economy a number of pandemic risk factors have been concentrated; d) economic outsider regions in the Russian Federation. The conducted research complements the cycle of works in the field of the impact of epidemics on the economy of regions and countries. The results obtained can be used to develop and implement a risk management policy to mitigate the consequences of anti-epidemic measures in the regions of the Russian Federation.

Comparative Analysis of Sleep Hygiene and Patterns among Adolescents in Two Russian Arctic Regions: A Pilot Study.

The circumpolar habitat stands as one of the most vulnerable environments for human activity and health. The primary study objective was to compare sleep-related factors, light exposure, social cues, and potential confounding variables among schoolchildren residing in the European Arctic region from two settlements situated below and above the Polar Circle using validated self-reported questionnaires. We recruited 94 children aged 13-15 years (40.4% males), matched by sex and age, from public educational institutions in two circumpolar settlements located below (Kem', Republic of Karelia; 64.6 NL) and above the Polar Circle (Apatity, Murmansk Region; 67.3 NL). Participants completed several surveys, including the Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale, the Insomnia Severity Index, the Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale, and the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire, to evaluate sleep parameters and chronotype. The χ2 test was used to test for differences between proportions. Linear regression and multiple regression models with co-factors were applied to assess the relationship between studied indicators. A noteworthy increase in physical activity was observed in children residing in Kem' compared to those in Apatity. Children from Apatity showed higher alcohol consumption than their counterparts from Kem'. The overall rate of excessive daytime sleepiness in the sample was 17.1%. Moderate insomnia symptoms were reported in 18.4% of adolescents living in Kem' and in 25% of respondents living in Apatity, respectively. Notably, participants from Kem' attained higher academic scores and had longer exposure to sunlight on schooldays. On the other hand, children from Apatity tended to have later bedtimes and sleep-onset times on schooldays. According to the Munich ChronoType Questionnaire data, a reliance on alarm clocks on schooldays, and a higher Sleep Stability Factor based on the Adolescent Sleep Hygiene Scale. Our study indicating that higher physical activity and longer sunlight exposure among Kem' children on schooldays are associated with earlier wake-up times during schooldays, earlier bedtime whole week, reduced dependence on alarm clocks, and higher academic achievements. The results of older schoolchildren differ from many works published previously in the USA, Argentina, and Japan, which could be explained by the season when the study was performed. Here, we observed a negative impact on school performance and sleep parameters in children living in high latitudes, namely in circumpolar regions. Our study points out that adolescents living above the Polar Circle tend to have sleep problems, e.g., late sleep-onset times, higher excessive daytime sleepiness, and insomnia-related symptoms, because of experiencing reduced exposure to natural light. Future research encompassing assessments across all four seasons will provide a more comprehensive understanding.

Socio-Economic Determinants of Choosing the Month of Child Birth in the Russian Federation: Statistical Analysis

The results of a statistical analysis of the factors determining the decisions of families regarding the choice of the month of child birth are presented in the article. A review of the literature shows that a wide range of factors – cultural, biological, climatic and socio-economic – can influence these decisions. In the article, the authors focus on socio-economic determinants. In the Russian Federation, as well as throughout the world, there is a steady seasonality of births: between 2000 and 2022 most children were born in July and August. The article formulates a number of hypotheses regarding possible seasonality determinants, which were tested on the basis of Rosstat data from a sample survey of households «Comprehensive observation of living conditions of the population in 2020» and Rosstat data on registered births by month in Russian regions for 2019–2022. Using unordered multiple choice logit model estimates, cluster analysis and correlation analysis the authors obtained results demonstrating that the choice of summer months for the child birth is determined primarily by household, with the increase of which the birth of a child is more often planned for July. In regions characterized by high rates of quality-of-life indicators, predominantly urban population and a high level of contraceptive use, family preferences in choosing the summer months for child birth are also increasing. The influence of mother's age and education was not identified in the work.The results of the study can be used by the authorities to develop an effective strategy in the field of demographic policy.

Противодействие антироссийским экономическим санкциям 2022–2023 гг.

The article provides an analysis of measures designed to counter anti-Russian sanctions. Countering sanctions is considered in the context of ensuring economic security. The article reveals decision making in the field of countering economic sanctions. It identifies the main directions of measures introduced to help the economy to adjust to the restrictions and to counter the threats posed by the new sanctions. Ensuring economic security in the context of sanctions is carried out at two levels: national and subnational. The framework and main directions of the respective policy are determined at the national level. The president of Russia determines the guidelines of the internal and foreign policies of the state, issues decrees and orders defining the particularities of a policy. The Government and the Federal Assembly of the Russian Federation implement policies determined by the president and generally influence economic security of the country. Thus, when the new sanctions were imposed, the president issued several orders designed to support certain sectors of the economy and strengthen the economic sovereignty and also defined new priorities for foreign economic cooperation – The Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Asia, Africa and Latin America. At the subnational level, regional authorities determine more specific policies within the framework formed at the national level. The common directions of measures designed to counter the sanctions at the regional level were the following: import substitution, stimulation of export activity, formation of new logistics chains, enhancement of cooperation between Russian regions, development of some other directions for foreign trade, formation of a more attractive investment climate. However, the set of tools and resources regional authorities used more actively in the context of countering the new sanctions differs from region to region.

ГРАНТОВАЯ ПОДДЕРЖКА МОЛОДЁЖНЫХ ИНИЦИАТИВ КАК АЛЬТЕРНАТИВНЫЙ ИСТОЧНИК ПРИВЛЕЧЕНИЯ БЮДЖЕТНЫХ СРЕДСТВ НА РАЗВИТИЕ ТЕРРИТОРИЙ

Nowadays, many Russian regions deal with the problem of attracting additional financial resources to the local budget, causing regional authorities to search for alternative funding to balance regional and municipal budgets. The implementation of youth initiatives is one of the key instruments used to launch social projects in the region. Moreover, these projects often attract additional funds to the region through public grants. Therefore, this paper is focused on the promotion and management of youth as a target social group, since it represents a powerful strategic resource for the development of individual regions and the country as a whole. This study will evaluate the impact of grants for young entrepreneurs' initiatives as a separate tool for the development of socio-economic situation in the Russian regions. Furthermore, this article will elaborate on the key effects of the implementation of these initiatives for the region in terms of the fulfillment of regional policy priorities.

Healthcare and health protection institutions in the context of preserving the health capital of the elderly: Evidence from Russian regions

Subject. This article discusses the issues of State policy in the field of healthcare, the problems of increasing life expectancy, and the development of a network of medical institutions in the regions of Russia. Objectives. The article aims to analyze some quantitative and qualitative characteristics of the current system of medical care in Russia. Methods. For the study, we used the methods of statistical and correlation analyses. Results. The article finds that the inequality of the elderly in health is due to regional differences in the efficiency of the functioning of medical institutions. Conclusions. Significant differences in the availability of medical care across the constituent entities of the Russian Federation hinder the successful implementation of projects aimed at solving the country's demographic problems.

Parameters of sustainability of Russian regions: State and vectors of development in relation to the least stable group

Subject. This article considers the region as a dynamic system. Objectives. The article aims to group the regions of Russia according to the level of stability and determine the prospects for the economic development of these groups from the systems theory point of view. Methods. For the study, we used the methods of logical, cluster, comparative, correlation and regression analyses. Results. The article divides the regions of Russia into six groups (virtual clusters) depending on the level of socio-ecological-economic stability. A reduction in the average life expectancy of the population should be considered as a general indicator characterizing the low level of stability. Conclusions. A decrease in the number of students in universities, a decrease in the level of employment, as well as environmental problems pose a threat in the strategic perspective for the regions of Russia characterized by a low level of sustainability.

Development of renewable energy in Russia: Challenges and opportunities

Subject. This article discusses the issues of climate change and environmental aspects of the development of the Russian regions' economy. Objectives. The article aims to assess the importance of green energy in ensuring economic advance and analyze the specific risks for the economy associated with the active use of renewable energy sources. Methods. For the study, we used a comparative analysis. Results. The article finds that solar, wind and small hydroelectric power plants are extremely unevenly distributed across the federal districts of Russia. Renewable energy generation facilities are the most cost-effective at the local level and have a positive impact on the environment. Conclusions. The activities of Russian regions in the introduction of renewable energy sources should be recognized as insufficient for the implementation of the concept of sustainable development.

Online Grocery Shopping: Exploring the Influence of Income, Internet Access, and Food Prices

Online grocery shopping has grown rapidly in recent years. It has been promoted as a way to overcome the systemic inequalities in food access and increase sustainable food practices. A growing body of studies has highlighted the impact of income, food prices, and internet access/connection on shaping people’s behavior in buying groceries online. However, there is a dearth of prior studies that have examined the impact of these three factors at the macro/meso level. Therefore, this paper presents an analysis of these factors from a sample of 16 Russian regions with a combined population size of more than 44 million people. We used a fixed effects linear regression model to analyze panel data on median income, mobile internet connection, food price index, and online grocery sales. Our results show the significant impact of income and imply that while online grocery shopping holds huge promise for overcoming unequal access to food and achieving sustainability, entrenched challenges such as poverty and income inequality might be difficult to shake off.

Search and replication of associations of genome variants with lipid levels in a Russian sample

Aim. To search associations for lipid profile parameters (lowand highdensity lipoprotein cholesterol levels, triglycerides and total cholesterol) in population samples from two Russian regions and make a replication analysis of a previously published genome-wide association study (GWA study, GWAS) for residents of three other Russian regions.Material and methods. The study included representative samples from the Vologda (n=689) and Ivanovo (n=1675) regions collected for the Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases and their Risk Factors in Regions of Russian Federation (ESSE-RF) study. We assessed lipid profile parameters and performed a targeted sequencing. A linear regression model adjusted for sex, age, and statin use was used to assess the associations of genomic variants with lipid profiles. The work replicated the results of a study by Usoltsev D, et al., 2023, carried out on population samples of individuals from St.Petersburg, Orenburg and Samara regions.Results. We identified variants for which associations with lipid parameters had previously been identified in a Russian sample. The proportion of replicated variants was 89% and 92% for the samples from the Vologda and Ivanovo regions, respectively. The directions of effects of all replicated variants in the previously published study (samples from the Orenburg and Samara regions and St. Petersburg) and in both studied samples (samples from the Ivanovo and Vologda regions) coincide.Conclusion. The results of the search for associations with lipid parameters in different Russian samples are consistent with each other.

Qualitative research methods in studying the problems of adult population vaccination: relevance and design

Vaccination is an effective tool to control infectious diseases at the population level. There is an increase in the proportion of the adult population vulnerable to controlled infections, which is confirmed by the emergence of disease outbreaks involving population aged >18 years. Qualitative research methods are used to explore factors influencing vaccination behavior.Aim. To develop and present a qualitative study design to study barriers and drivers for vaccination in adults.Material and methods. The World Health Organization (WHO) approach of Tailoring Immunization Programs (TIP), Capability-Opportunity-Motivation-Behavior (COM-B) tool, developed by the WHO and adapted in several countries to study vaccination issues, and the Rapid Assessment Process method were chosen and adapted for conducting a study in three Russian regions. The qualitative methods selected are focus groups and in-depth personal interviews in two target groups of adults and medical workers. A purposive sampling method will be used to select population participants aged ≥18 years.Results. A qualitative research design was developed, including the following steps: selecting target populations, developing a discussion plan, training the analytical group, testing the methodology and questions in the target groups, collecting and analyzing data, developing recommendations and interventions.Conclusion. Qualitative research methods are preferable for identifying vaccination barriers and drivers. Based on the results obtained, an educational program for health workers will be developed, including communicating approaches to be used with patients when discussing vaccination matters.The qualitative research design developed and presented can be used by researchers, public health professionals, and decision-makers to study vaccination behavior among adults.

Differentiation of Regions According to the Standard of Living of the Population

The relevance of this work is determined by the important problems of improving living standards in Russia, increasing the welfare of the population, and reducing poverty. High differentiation of the country’s regions also creates additional risks associated with forming undesirable migration flows of both population and business. Studies show that while being a leader in one area, a region may lag in other areas. It is necessary to determine how interrelated the various indicators of living standards in the subjects of the Russian Federation are. The research methods are based on the analysis of indicators of living standards of the population of Russian regions. In particular, the authors analyzed current and retrospective values, compared the values of indicators in different regions of the country, correlation and cluster analysis. The study formed integral indicators of regional development in five areas that characterize the population’s living standard to carry out calculations. The analysis results showed that there is no significant linear correlation between 22 selected private indicators of living standards in the vast majority of cases. The prospects of the study lie in further identification of ways to improve the situation, considering the specifics of the ratio of various indicators of living standards.

Innovative Development of Russian Regions: Assessment and Dynamics in the Context of Sustainable Development

Innovative development of regions is a key factor that determines the level of competitiveness of the economies of all countries in the world. This article uses statistical tools to assess the level of innovative development of the regions of the Russian Federation. The purpose of the work is to assess the innovative development of the subjects of Russia for the period 2010–2020. Objectives of the study: (1) to study the main parameters of innovative development of the subjects of the Russian Federation; (2) to conduct a typology of Russian regions by the level of innovative development on the basis of cluster analysis. The selected time interval (2010–2020) was a period of increasing turbulent flows of development of socio-economic processes at the global, national and regional levels. Cluster analysis was used to identify spatial and functional features of innovative development of Russian regions. The obtained analytical calculations confirm a high degree of differentiation between the Russian regions by all key indicators of innovative development. The results of grouping regions on the basis of cluster analysis showed that there are four clusters based on the sum of normalized indicators, reflecting different levels of innovative development in Russian regions. The analysis revealed that most of the regions belong to the groups with moderate and low levels of innovative development. The regions of the Central and Volga Federal Districts have the highest level of innovative development, while the regions located in the north of the European part of Russia, the North Caucasus, the south of eastern Siberia and the Far East, as well as “new” regions, have a low level. The results of the study can be implemented by regional authorities for systematic monitoring of the level of innovative development of regions, making managerial decisions and developing mechanisms to ensure innovation activity in the regions.

Associations of the density and proximity of the outlets of tobacco and other nicotine-containing products with increased levels of depression, anxiety and stress among the population of 3 Russian regions

Aim. To study the relationship of the density and proximity of tobacco products (TPs) and electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS) with increased levels of depression, anxiety and stress among the population in 3 constituent entities of the Russian Federation.Material and methods. The work used data from the Epidemiology of Cardiovascular Diseases and their Risk Factors in Regions of Russian Federation-3 (ESSE-RF3) study in 3 Russian regions (Arkhangelsk, Sverdlovsk and Tver regions) among the population aged 35-64 years (n=1674), who signed a consent to participate in the study. We analyzed data on the status of smoking and consumption of ENDS, passive smoking, attempts to quit smoking, as well as the presence of depression, anxiety (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score ≥8) and stress (Perceived Stress Scale (PSS) >21). Elements of urban infrastructure (data collection: January-March 2022) selling TPs and ENDS were assessed using aт OpenStreetMap-based program. Associations were established using logistic regression analysis.Results. With a twofold increase in the distance of TP and ENDS outlets from the place of residence, the depression probability was reduced by 13% (odds ratio (OR) 0,87; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0,79-0,96) and by 12% (OR 0,88; 95% CI: 0,78-0,99), respectively. With increase in distance from of TP outlets, the anxiety decreased probability by 12% (OR 0,88; 95% CI: 0,81-0,97). With an increase in the number of TP outlets within a radius of 1000 m from the place of residence, there were an increase in the probability of depression (OR 1,18; 95% CI: 1,031,36), anxiety (OR 1,12; 95% CI: 1-1,26) and stress (OR 1,24; 95% CI: 1,05-1,46). A greater number of ENDS outlets within a radius of 1000 m and 400 m was associated with a high likelihood of depression (OR 1,17; 95% CI: 1,02-1,34 and OR 1,25; 95% CI: 1,04-1,47, respectively). An increased depression probability was found in those exposed to tobacco smoke at home (OR 1,88; 95% CI: 1,27-2,73) and at work (OR 1,67; 95% CI: 1,14-2,41). An increase in the number of attempts to quit smoking doubles the odds of depression (OR 2,40; 95% CI: 1,35-4,23) and anxiety (OR 2,00; 95% CI: 1,18-3,38).Conclusion. Unfavorable environmental factors, including the proximity and density of TP and ENDS outlets, can increase the probability of depression, anxiety and stress among the population living in these areas.

Missionary publications of the Translator Commission of St. Gurias Brotherhood (1867–1915)

The missionary activities within the cultural life of Kazan region was related to book production, distribution and use. The authors focus on the book missions and, in particular, on the contribution of St. Gurias Brotherhood Translator Commission to publishing translated missionary books in Russia’s native languages. They analyze the repertoire of missionary books published by St. Gurias Brotherhood in 1867–1915 categorized by target regions and related strategy of translations of religious, secular, popular and educational literature into the languages of the Russian Empire. The authors attempt to evaluate the significance of the Translator Commission endeavors in the missionary and secular educational fields. The Translator Commission activities, aimed at the spread of Christianity, facilitated the development of alphabets of previously “oral” nations in the eastern Russian regions, and of book publishing in the native languages. The missionary publications of St. Gurias Brotherhood Translator Commission had a significant impact on development of the book culture of the nations of Kazan region.