Russian Regions Research Articles

Создание особых экономических зон после моратория: причины, тенденции, закономерности

Improvement of the investment climate is one of the main priorities of the Russian tax policy, in which special economic zones (SEZ’s) play a significant role. The pace of their creation has increased significantly in recent years. The main idea, as always, is to attract investment. However, the more such zones appear, the more obvious becomes the gap in defining the strategic role of the SEZ regime, which has already been introduced in dozens of Russian regions, but still lacks a clear conceptualization. Moreover, the revival of interest in SEZ’s contrasts sharply with the recent moratorium on their creation. Such dramatic changes have underlying motives, the understanding of which is necessary to avoid a superficial view of investment attraction policies. Since they are currently of particular importance for ensuring macroeconomic stability, the purpose of the article is to identify the problems that may hinder the effective application of the SEZ regime in Russia. On this basis, the article systematizes the prerequisites for lifting the moratorium, establishes patterns and explains trends in the creation of SEZ’s, as well as gives proposals for the development of the concept of economic zoning.

Development of Prospective Economic Specializations as a Condition for Regional Economic Growth

Introduction. In the new economic conditions caused by the sanctions pressure, the Russian economy needs new sources of growth. Economic specializations in Russian regions, which are understood as prospective sectoral priorities and types of economic activity, can act as a source of revitalizing economic dynamics revival. Geopolitical turbulence and the associated focus on the development of the domestic market have led to additional attention from researchers and experts to the study of the economic specializations of Russian subjects. The objective of this study is to substantiate the development of economic specializations in the regional economy, acting as a condition for its growth. Materials and Methods. Using the materials of the Vologda Region, the export-oriented region of the Northwest, the list of economic specialization, the development of which is promising from the point of view of long-term economic growth, was formulated. The main sources of information are Rosstat data and input-output tables for the Vologda Region. The economic specializations for the region are primarily based on studies that focus on identifying and developing economic specialization in Russian regions. The use of input-output modeling methodology has allowed to determine the impact on the regional economy of extending the value chain in the timber industry due to increased domestic demand for wood products. Results. Based on the analysis of the dynamics of industrial production in the Vologda Region, it was revealed that the Vologda Region is among the regions that have felt the impact of the sanctions. Вased on the approaches of the authors engaged in the search for promising economic specializations of the region, it is established that the timber industry and tourism can act as such. The results of the input-output modeling are shown that stimulating consumer demand for woodworking products has a significant impact on the growth of a region’s economy. This demand is driven by the needs of the tourism sector. The calculations were performed in determining the significance of promoting projects for the development of hotels utilizing CLT panel-based technologies in the region. Discussion and Conclusion. In the study, it was determined that stimulating demand for the production of deep processing of wood (houses from CLT panels) would have a significant impact on the growth of the regional economy, ensuring an increase in the production of goods and services, the wage fund and the number of employed. It was also shown that the development of proposed economic specializations in the Vologda Region is promising and allows for the concentration of added value within the region, which is particularly important for the development of the domestic market. For the regional authorities, the interest lies in the possibility of obtaining a quantitative assessment of the development of economic specializations on their territory, which can be used by them in the improvement of economic policy.

Ресурсный потенциал сферы облачных инфокоммуникационных услуг в российских регионах: сравнительная оценка

The purpose of the study is to develop a methodological approach to comparative assessment of the resource potential of the cloud infocommunication services sphere in Russian regions in order to determine the state and development prospects of regional resources. The approach is based on the construction of integral indices of human and infrastruc-ture resources of the regions. The choice of statistical indicators included in the named indices was substantiated. The assessments of the level of development of the resource potential of the cloud infocommunication services sphere in Russian regions were constructed based on the current Rosstat data for 2022 and 2023. The regions were grouped by analogy with the groupings of the BCG matrix and the Gartner quadrant. Each region is assessed by two indices: «hu-man resources» and «infrastructure resources». Four groups of regions were defined, corresponding to the four quad-rants: with high scores for both indices; with high scores only for the infrastructure resources indicator; with high scores only for the human resources indicator; with low scores for both indicators. The prospects for the development of re-gional resources were determined, taking into account the identified specificity of regional resources and the share of costs for the implementation and use of digital technologies in the gross regional product. The results can be used to justify strategic directions for the development of the resource potential of the infocommunication sphere of Russian regions.

Религия глазами российских студентов

The article presents a generalized description of the semantic content of the concept “religion”, characterizing the everyday consciousness of students in the Russian regions. It is compared by a number of main features with similar indicators of reflection of religion of the youth of the Russian regions, obtained by the authors a year earlier. A set of previously tested and new indicators of assessment / interpretation by students of the religious “domain” of social reality is analyzed. The cognitive characteristics of the attitude towards religion, its emotional and evaluative parameters, as well as indicators of the respondent's involvement / distancing in / from religious life are presented. Based on the results of a quantitative analysis of student survey data (quota-nested sample, N=578, 2024), conclusions are made about the dominance of neutral-positive evaluative contexts of religion over negative ones in the consciousness of student youth; on the prevalence of transcendental and meaningfullife interpretations of religion by students with parity of “secularist” and “desecular” contexts of its assessment; on a significant (more than half) degree of students' involvement in various modalities of the religious “field”. The article specifies the empirical interpretation of a number of basic concepts and defines the directions of substantive development of the program-instrumental complex of research.

Spatial Estimation of Regional Economic Growth Heterogeneity During 2014‒2021

Introduction. The aggravation of socio-economic heterogeneity among Russian regions is one of the main challenges for sustainable development of the country. The main task of spatial policy is to ensure advanced rates of development of geostrategic and lagging behind territories as well as increasing competitiveness of regional economies. However, the events of the past decade substantially adjusted plans on regional economic growth enhancement. The aim of the study is to estimate spatial economic growth heterogeneity and interdependence of bordering entities of Russia over 2013‒2021. Materials and Methods. The main research method is Moran’s methodology for assessing local and global indices characterizing the inter-regional relation and A. Anselin’s approach for local indices of spatial autocorrelation and spatial clusters identification. The research uses regional data on real GRP per capita growth rates for 85 Russian regions for five annual intervals. Results. The results confirmed that geopolitical tensions significantly enhance the regional economic growth heterogeneity. The most developed regions, including main hydrocarbon producers, are found being most exposed to external economic shocks, which reduced their spatial interrelation. Southern and eastern regions demonstrated an upward growth trend. The COVID-19 pandemic shaped the appearance of western and eastern clusters. Regional economies demonstrated the decreasing heterogeneity through enhancing the economic growth rates in the post-crises period. Coincidently, we document that economic development of the regions influences the growth in bordering entities. Discussion and Conclusion. The research allows defining three stages of regional economic growth rates heterogeneity during 2013‒2021. The derived conclusions are recommended for actualizing state policy in reducing regional heterogeneity and strengthening the national economic space.

Development of institutions for the digital transformation of the economy of Russian regions

Subject. The article discusses methodological approaches to the study of the impact of institutions for digital transformation of regions’ economy, the choice of evaluation indicators. Objectives. The purpose is to determine the content of the concept of institutions for digital transformation of regions, the degree of interrelation of socio-economic development and indicators of digital transformation published by the Federal State Statistics Service, group regions according to the level of socio-economic development on the Harrington scale, determine the degree of regional digitalization to identify the strength of relationship of GRP, per capita GRP, and the strength of relationship of particular indicators characterizing digitalization. Methods. We applied general scientific research methods, the Harrington scale grouping method, and the correlation analysis method. Results. We reviewed methodological approaches to the content of concepts of digitalization, digital transformation, and digital institutions; determined the strength of relationship of socio-economic development, sectoral structure, and the level of digitalization of regions, using the Volga Federal District case. Conclusions. The most acute problem is economic and digital inequality of regions. The socio-economic development of regions and their digital indicators statistically have high strength of relationship, they have mutual influence.

Issues of Agglomeration Identity Policy in Statements of Russian Regional Politicians: Discourse Analysis of the Social Network “Vkontakte” Materials

The article examines how issues of identity construction in Russian urban agglomerations are reflected in the Russian regional politicians’ discourse in mass media. The study concerns theoretical problems of identity construction and the role of regional government bodies in shaping the territorial identity of the population. The specificity of the Russian situation is the absence of governing bodies related to the agglomeration level in most urban agglomerations. The empirical basis of the study is the texts of subnational politicians posted on the official websites of regional government bodies: websites of governors and regional governments, official pages in the mass media. The empirical information on identity policy were collected from the Internet sources (official portals of regional executive authorities, media reports). Discourse analysis was carried out after monitoring social media materials (VKontakte web-pages of regional leaders). The article reflects five cases out of sixteen Russian ones related to the Ural and Siberian agglomerations with a megalopolis core. The empirical data cover the period from December 2022 to the end of 2023. The choice of the time period for analysis is determined by the fact that by this period the most significant factors influencing the policy of our state at present (the pandemic and the Special military operation) have already manifested themselves in full. It has been confirmed that the problems of agglomeration development in the public official subfederal discourse in most cases are reduced to economic problems; first of all, it concerns the development of industry, science (high technology), transport, and waste disposal. In all analyzed cases, insufficient attention was found out, paid to the role of the implemented socio-cultural projects of subfederal identity policy, and also distancing from the discussion of the problems of integration of labor migrants in the public space. Insignificant number of messages from representatives of the regional political and administrative elite about the socio-cultural meanings of the formed agglomerations can become a significant limitation of information support for the agglomeration development of modern contemporary Russia.

Application of multiparametric methods of data science for the classification of Russian subjects on the basis of subsidisation

The relevance of the study is justified by the importance of monitoring and forecasting the subsidisation of the Russian regions in order to identify the main criteria for classifying subjects on the basis of subsidisation. In a brief review of the literature, mathematical models used to model the subsidisation of the Russian regions are considered. They have mainly fixed socio-economic indicators that need to be given attention while applying, and also regression models are used, but mathematically sound recommendations for the withdrawal of regions from clusters of subsidisation are not provided. The paper analyses the socio-economic and demographic indicators of the Russian regions applying methods that identify patterns in a multiparametric dataset. The methods of traditional statistical analysis and machine learning, including the author’s ones, are used. Statistically significant patterns have been identified, reflecting the relationship of subsidisation with such indicators as investments in fixed capital, fixed assets, average per capita income and average size of assigned pensions, unemployment rate, etc. The performed logical and statistical analysis strongly supports the use of machine learning (Data Science) methods in identifying statistically significant relationships between various indicators characterising the development of the regions of the Russian Federation.

Levels of Social Participation among Silver-Age Citizens and Factors of its Activation in the Region of Russia (Case of the Sverdlovsk Region)

Introduction. The quality of life of silver-age people is associated not only with psychological, economic and physical well-being, but also with the peculiarities of interpersonal relations and the diversity of their social activity. The widespread ideology of active or “delayed aging” actualizes the study of the nature of inclusion of elderly citizens in various practices of social participation that fill their daily lives. The aim of the study is to reveal the level characteristics of social participation of citizens of silver age in the Sverdlovsk Oblast and the factors that determine them. Materials and Methods. The article analyses the data from the survey of residents of the Sverdlovsk Region over the age of 60, the sample is structured by gender, age, and place of residence of the respondents (type of settlement). The authors’ survey method was used to determine the nature and frequency, level and type of social participation of the Urals elderly, to identify factors that contribute to or impede activity in old age. Results. The study showed that socio-consumer participation characterized by activities “for oneself” and collective participation aimed at social integration “together with others” constitute the main content of social participation of the studied cohort. The participation of the elderly in the practices aimed at helping and caring (“for others”) is significantly lower, and a radical decrease in the activity of the elderly Urals residents is revealed when they switch to “civic participation”. It has been proved that the intensity of social participation of silver-age citizens living in cities is higher than in rural areas. The only exception is participation in civic activities. The same influence on the intensity of the different practices of social participation at all levels is exerted by the status of residence (independent or in a residential institution), the presence of close relatives and the frequency of Internet use. Discussion and Conclusion. The identification of the levels and factors of social participation of older citizens creates an evidence base on the processes of active aging in a typical Russian region. The results of the study demonstrate the relevance of focusing regional social policy on aging and the non-profit sector on increasing the social participation of people and groups of the “silver” age. The article may be of interest to regional authorities, social protection and service institutions, the regional non-profit sector, offering tools for the development and implementation of effective social aging policies aimed at implementing resources and supporting the social participation of the older generation.

Brilliant tragedy? Electoral effects of environmental protest cycle in autocracy

ABSTRACT When and how does an environmental protest cycle affect election outcomes under electoral authoritarianism? Drawing on the case of the Bashkortostan republic, a Russian ethnic region, I leverage the spatial proximity to the protest site to identify its effects on parliamentary elections. The environmental protest cycle peaked in Bashkortostan around the regional government’s decisions to extract minerals from shikhans – mountains composed of limestone. Employing a difference-in-differences (DiD) design, I show that precincts exposed to the environmental protest cycle experienced a significant drop in United Russia vote share, while voting for systemic opposition increased in the affected precincts. To explain the dynamics, I propose treating non-political protests, such as environmental ones, as an information revelation mechanism. The mechanism identified through a causal mediation analysis indicates that the environmental protest cycle conveys information on regional malperformance to voters. Their updated preferences, in turn, heavily undermine the electoral mobilizing capacity of local elites.

Оценка готовности российских регионов к использованию облачных услуг

The objective of the study is to develop methodological approaches for the comparative assessment of Rus-sian regions’ readiness to adopt cloud services and the intensity of their usage, in order to substantiate strategic directions for the development of the infocommunication sector at the regional level. The approach is based on the construction of integrated indices of economic and infrastructural conditions favorable to cloud service adoption, as well as an index of the intensity of their usage. The selection of statistical indicators included in these indices is justified. A methodology for the comparative evaluation of Russian regions’ readiness to utilize cloud services is proposed. Readiness assessments of Russian regions for the development of cloud services were constructed based on current data from Rosstat for 2022 and 2023. The regions were grouped analo-gously to the BCG matrix and Gartner’s quadrant. Framework recommendations were developed, taking into account the identified specifics of regional conditions for the development of cloud service markets and the index of cloud service usage intensity. These recommendations can be used to substantiate strategic directions for the development of the infocommunication sector in Russian regions.

Measuring Multidimensional Poverty of the Population of the Regions of Russia: A Hybrid Approach

The research paper is devoted to the measurement of poverty (and its depth) of the population of Russian regions on the basis of a hybrid approach. This approach involves both an objective assessment of the phenomenon under study (according to Rosstat data) and taking into account the subjective perception of poverty by the population. In the first case, the index method is used in combination with the method of self-organising maps by T. Kohonen and an ensemble of multilayer perseptrons of various configurations. Artificial intelligence allows not only to deepen the results of retrospective assessment of multidimensional poverty through cluster analysis, but also to realise the predictive function. In the second case, a sociological survey is conducted on the example of a certain region of Russia (the Republic of Bashkortostan). According to the results of the cluster analysis, taking into account the earlier retrospective assessment, we can conclude that there is a high degree of polarisation of Russian regions based on the actual level of ‘multidimensional poverty’. ‘Oases’ (St. Petersburg, Moscow and the Republic of Tatarstan) contrast with “centres” (the Republic of Ingushetia, the Republic of Tyva, the Karachay-Cherkess Republic and the Republic of Altai) of multidimensional poverty. At the same time, the Republic of Bashkortostan (one of the old-industrial regions with a rich mineral and raw material base) in the formed rating regularly occupied the median position among other constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The main (key) problems in the sphere of poverty for this region of Russia are specified based on the results of sociological research. Such a study also makes it possible to deepen the retrospective assessment of ‘multidimensional poverty’, since not all the necessary data for a comprehensive analysis of the phenomenon under study are generated by Rosstat on a regular basis. The results obtained in the framework of the study can be used in the actualisation of the most important direction of the state social policy of modern Russia – the fight against poverty. In the long term, the top management of the country needs to ensure a significant reduction in the poverty level of the population regardless of the territorial factor (constituent entity of the Russian Federation).

Background of Data Envelopment Analysis Implementation in Moscow Healthcare System: International and Russian Experience

Background. The efficiency of healthcare organization activity should be improved and measured using new techniques, as the healthcare system has widely applied advanced technologies and optimized the workflow of all medical facilities. The methodology of data envelopment analysis (DEA) is one of the fast-evolving approaches to assessing the performance of healthcare organizations. The article examines Russian and international experience in applying the DEA method, which can be used for assessing the performance of Moscow public healthcare organizations. Purpose. To study the basics of DEA and the experience of its use for assessing the efficiency of healthcare organizations in Russia and abroad, and to consider its potential implementation in the Moscow healthcare system. Materials and methods. The publications were selected using the PRISMA guidelines. A complex of modern general scientific methods of cognition was also used: system and structural approach, analytical method, comparison, and generalization. Results. The practice of using the DEA method in Russian regions and abroad was analyzed. The main advantages and disadvantages of DEA, as well as the main parameters used in constructing the model of efficiency measurement for healthcare organizations, were categorized. The prerequisites for using the DEA method to assess the efficiency of Moscow healthcare organizations were identified.

Artificial intelligence in the Russian regions

Objective: to provide a comparative assessment of the use of artificial intelligence technologies by organizations in the context of Russian regions and to identify determinants of their dynamics. Methods: descriptive statistics, histogram, grouping, principal component method, panel data models. Results: an absolute trend of recent years is to study and implement artificial intelligence technologies in many economic, industrial processes and social life. The article analyzes the trends in the application of artificial intelligence technologies in the Russian regions. The comparative analysis of regions by the level and growth rate of artificial intelligence technologiesuse by organizations showed that the regions were heterogenous by the dynamics of this indicator in 2020-2022. The regions were divided into four groups: above average and below average level in Russia. Econometric modeling based on the method of principal components gave grounds to unite the determinants of the use of artificial intelligence technologies into four components. Panel data fixed-effects models showed a significant impact of the component, characterizing the state of human capital, the level of economic development, and innovation activity of organizations in the region. Scientific novelty: for the first time an attempt was made to provide a comparative analysis of Russian regions by the level of artificial intelligence technologies use by organizations and to find the determinants of its change. Practical significance: the heterogeneity of regions in terms of the artificial intelligence technologies use by organizations was substantiated, as well as a great impact of the specific characteristics of regions, which should be taken into account when building a national policy of artificial intelligence development.

Institutional Support for Digital Transformation of Regions of the Russian Federation

Studying the issues of institutional support for the digital transformation of regions of the Russian Federation is important for understanding the current state and development prospects in the context of modern challenges and opportunities. A study was conducted on the regulatory framework for the digital transformation of the Russian economy. It also examined digital transformation strategies of various economic sectors, the social sphere, and public administration. The study identified that Russian regions differ in terms of the number of industries, planned projects, and the number of indicative indicators defined in their strategies. The gap between the leading region, the Republic of Tatarstan, and the Altai Republic, which closes the ranking of Russian regions in terms of the number of projects being implemented, was 8.4 times. It has been established that areas whose impact on the digital transformation process is extremely significant are very limited in regional projects. It is shown that the digital transformation strategies of all regions of the Russian Federation define a wider range of indicative indicators. The Chechen Republic, which has the smallest number of indicators among Russian regions, exceeds the approved threshold by 3 times, and the Perm Krai (the leader in the number of indicators) by 17.6 times. This allows regional authorities to take into account the industry and strategic guidelines of the region, identify problem areas, and take the necessary measures in the process of digital transformation.

Regional perspective on prospects and risks of the renewable energy in Russia

AbstractThe expansion of renewable energy (RE) relies on both natural factors and socioeconomic conditions fostered at the regional level. This paper examines the key factors influencing RE development in selected Russian regions. We conducted a literature review, surveyed 250 industry experts, and analyzed reports from energy and rating agencies, along with natural resource maps, to identify specific risks and indicators. Our expert survey revealed that the most significant technical risks are low resource potential (68%), energy system surplus (68%), and the absence of transport logistics with neighboring regions (58%). Politically, the lack of additional sector initiatives (6%) was noted. Economically, the high cost of RE (56%) and insufficient experience with “green” investments (54%) were highlighted. Social factors included low unemployment rates (74%), and the absence of remote areas without power supply (72%). Environmentally, the lack of enterprises for energy unit utilization (84%), low greenhouse gas emissions (60%), and insufficient accessible territories for facilities (58%) were significant concerns. We developed risk profiles for nine Russian regions, categorizing them into leaders, intermediates, and nascent stages of RE market formation. Our findings indicate that the most impactful factors include resource potential, space limitations for energy facilities, proximity to equipment manufacturers, regional support measures, and the development of “green” investment instruments. Conversely, regional investment attractiveness had a lesser influence. On the basis of these insights, we recommend enhancing RE development through refined federal and regional support programs. We propose additional criteria for project selection: (1) minimum construction costs covered by “green” investments and (2) quantitative restrictions on new capacities, considering regional energy system status. Practical recommendations also include developing regional centers for servicing generating facilities and increasing the sector's investment attractiveness to stimulate private investment.

Local Fiscal Health in Russia: An Achilles’ Heel of Fiscal Federalism?

ABSTRACT This article is the first attempt to systematically study local public finance in contemporary Russia. We document that local governments do not have sufficient own-source revenues, are increasingly more dependent on intergovernmental fiscal aid, lack access to market borrowing, and suffer from structural flaws in the design of intergovernmental fiscal relations. Additionally, we present the results of the modified Brown’s 10-point test to compare local fiscal health across the Russian regions. Finally, we assess the strength of local fiscal incentives in 2012–2021 and demonstrate that local governments in Russia lack capacity to foster local economic growth through the tax code.

ANALYSIS AND PROSPECTS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF RENTAL RESIDENTIAL REAL ESTATE IN THE UDMURT REPUBLIC

This study, using the example of the Udmurt Republic and some Russian regions, examines the development of rental residential real estate. An analysis of the rental housing market was carried out, on the basis of which prospects were identified and ways of development of this area were outlined. The study examined state and federal programs and subprograms implemented in Russian regions aimed at providing affordable, comfortable housing, as well as utility services to citizens of the Russian Federation, and analyzed the main indicators. The purpose of the study is to determine the main ways of development of rental residential real estate in the Udmurt Republic. For this purpose, an analysis of scientific sources was carried out, the authors of which study issues related to the problem of residential real estate development in our country. In the process of working on the article, the authors reviewed the “Rented Houses” program, aimed at helping to improve the living conditions of citizens, which is being implemented in the city of St. Petersburg. An assessment of this program is given and the conclusion is made that, under certain conditions, this program can be applied in the Udmurt Republic. Also, during this study, the authors studied statistical data reflecting the current situation in the rental housing market and conducted a sociological survey. The development of a rental housing stock involves the careful development of certain mechanisms for the construction of residential space for that category of citizens who need rent to improve their living conditions. It has been revealed that government support, attraction of funds from citizens, as well as long-term installment payments contribute to the development of the rental housing market with the right to purchase. Thus, the authors of the article concluded that at the state level it is necessary to ensure regulation between the leasing parties, since this form of financial services is of interest to all social categories of citizens who need rental housing at market prices.

Применение маркетинга территорий в выравнивании регионального развития

The article considers the issues of uneven development of the Russian regions. As one of the instruments for equalizing regional development, it is proposed to introduce measures in the field of territorial marketing as a means of attracting public attention to a specific territory to accelerate its further development. The stages of regional marketing formation are identified and disclosed. The paper indicates marketing measures and the expected effect from them among the areas of influence necessary for the comprehensive development of the territory. Using the example of the Bryansk region, actions in the field of territorial marketing are proposed with an indication of the expected effect.

The Belarusian Frontier of the 1920s: Did Belarusization Take Place in the Russian-Belarusian Border Area?

The paper analyzes the historical circumstances of the 1920s, under which in three regions of the Russian-Belarusian borderland – Pskov, Smolensk and Bryansk governorates – it was necessary to reach the objectives of ‘Belarusization’: the size of the Belarusian population, the state of the school network in the NEP era and staffing for the solution of the “Belarusian question.” Belarusization is regarded as an integral part of the new Soviet national policy based on the resolutions of the 10th and 12th Congresses of the RCP. The purpose of the study is to identify and characterize the basic conditions for carrying out Belarusization in Russian regions with compact residence of the Belarusian population. First, this concerns the size of the Belarusian population in these governorates at the beginning and during the process of Belarusization, and detection of the dynamics and reasons for its significant reduction, starting from the end of the 19th century. Secondly, special attention must be paid to the problems in the school education system during the NEP era (financial, material, personnel), the solution of which was of much higher priority for local authorities in comparison with the objectives of Belarusization. The results of the study show that the policy of Belarusization in the Russian border regions failed to receive the due support either from local authorities overloaded with many other urgent tasks, or from the residents of the above mentioned governorates, including Belarusians. The practice of “self-Russification” became a kind of hidden form of protest among the Belarusian part of the population of the Russian border regions. Conclusions: The policy of Belarusization in the Russian-Belarusian border regions was not carried out in full even in the “minor format” proposed by Moscow, largely due to its artificiality and implementation without taking into account the opinions of the majority of Russian Belarusians themselves. The study is intended for specialists in national and regional politics, and in Russian and Belarusian history.