Russian Security Research Articles

State-Religious Relations in the Russian Security System

The subject of the analysis is the state-religious relations in the system of ensuring the safe existence and development of man and society. In the context of the concepts of social, religious and information-psychological security, the forms-models of interactions between state authorities and religious organizations are analyzed. It is noted that religions in the conditions of the information society participate in the design of information environments capable of exerting a multidirectional influence on individuals, including destructive ones. In order to prevent possible negative effects on the human psyche, integration and cooperation of religious institutions and state authorities are required. In this regard, the purpose of the study is to identify and analyze the features of state–religious relations and their markers that can trigger stabilization mechanisms to ensure the security system in crisis and emergency situations. The novelty of the study is: 1) in identifying the role of state-religious relations in the system of different types of security, depending on the models of interaction between the state and religions; 2) in defining the principles of the modern model of state-religious relations in Russia (interreligious interaction and peaceful coexistence of religions, the special position of the Russian Orthodox Church, strong state power with the highest possible level of centralization); 3) in reformatting the principles into a system of indicators for diagnosing and forecasting state-religious relations in modern Russia. As a result of the research, the concepts of “state-confessional relations”, “state-religious relations”, “state-church relations” are analyzed. The necessity of using the term “state-religious relations” in the scientific literature is substantiated. The main historical models of state-religious relations are studied, their conflictogenic or peacemaking nature for the system of social, religious and information-psychological security is revealed. The concept of “identity of Russia” is analyzed from the perspective of socio-cultural analysis. The correlation of the identity and specificity of the model of state-religious relations in Russia is established. The practical significance of the research is determined by the possibility of using the results in order to develop a system of effective practices for ensuring the security of individuals and society, in developing a strategy for the development of an updated form of state-religious interactions in modern Russia.

Armed attacks in educational institutions: social, psychological and informational problems of education security in Russia and abroad

Relevance. The history of armed attacks on educational institutions originated in the United States, but in recent decades this social phenomenon has spread widely to other countries, including Russia. Mass social tragedies associated with deaths of the youth cause great concern among all groups of population and require comprehensive prevention measures.The objective of the study is to identify social environmental factors that shape school shooter mentality, as well as to explore various strategies to prevent attacks in educational institutions of different levels (kindergartens, schools, universities).Methods. Armed attacks in educational institutions are the focus of our research. The material includes published research data (articles, dissertations and monographs) in English and Russian. The set of methods included generalizing conclusions published by peer investigators regarding the considered matter. Bibliographic databases (i.e. Federal State Institution “Russian State Library”, library platforms of Lomonosov Moscow State University and Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia) and scientific networks (ResearchGate, Web of Knowledge, Scopus, Google Scholar, Academia.edu, Mendeley) were used to explore research data. The findings present over 127 thousand publications regarding meta-analysis of armed attacks and mass shooting that occurred in educational institutions, as well as their social, psychological, cultural, and informational implications.Results and Discussion. The analysis of data regarding armed attacks in educational institutions demonstrates a very specific phenomenon that belongs to a specific type of crimes. Findings show that mass shootings of schoolchildren and students occur annually in the United States, apparently due to the free circulation of firearms and the cult of the guns. From 1974 to 1921 the US witnesses over 50 major armed attacks causing over a hundred deaths. In China, this problem is also substantial due to the country’s rapid and profound social changes (reforms, gender imbalance and demographic policy). Cold arms (knives, hammers) is the major weapon of assault in China, which caused deaths of at least a hundred children. In Europe, school shooting is not a critical problem, with only few cases reported by a few countries (Germany, Denmark and Finland). Russia shows no increase in the number of armed attacks using firearms or cold arms. In general, such incidents occur annually (1 to 4 violence cases) and are associated with slumped standards of living, increased aggression, social and psychological maladaptation among the population. To solve this problem, an integrated approach is needed, which could bring together technical and social aspects. The technical aspects imply broader use of video surveillance security systems and barriers, as well as regular profound inspections of school grounds (the venue and inside the school building). However, preventive measures should effectively provide for the social aspect to ensure expanded and deeper social and communicative relations within the student – administration / school teacher – parents paradigm. Taken together, these measures are bound o mitigate many factors of antisocial, aggressive, and violent behaviors in schools.Conclusion. A comprehensive analysis of Russian and foreign literature regarding armed attacks in educational institutions suggests that this is an independent psychosocial phenomenon. A system approach of the study allowed to establish a school shooter’s presumable portrait, as well as to identify typical social and personal characteristics of a shooter’s personality (i.e. social isolation; lack of individual ability to cope with life difficulties, such as study failures, conflicts at school or in the family; weak social integration at school and in other communities; decreased self-esteem and identity-related problems, in particular gender-related issues).

MRFM-analysis for customer segmentation in the industrial equipment market

It is of high importance for enterprises to identify, group and prioritize customers with similar needs in order to develop an individual approach to each of these groups. The article aims to segment B2B consumers based on the analysis of their purchasing behaviour. The theoretical framework of the study is the postulates of behavioural marketing. The research method involves МRFM-analysis (Modified Recency-Frequency-Monetary Analysis) that allows determining homogeneous groups of clients, examining the evolution of their behaviour, and formulating targeted interaction strategies for each group. The paper demonstrates the benefits of the Orange Data Mining machine learning and data mining complex, these are the capability to statistically correctly identify client clusters and the visual clarity of results analysis. The empirical evidence is industrial equipment sales data provided by a large Russian security systems manufacturer for the period of 2015–2022. A relationship is found between the segmentation performed in the study and the Reinartz–Kumar approach applied to decide on a strategy for forming customer loyalty. The authors distinguish between six groups of customers and establish those generating the greatest profit for the company and those having the minimum effects on its turnover. The group of trading firms (about 20% of all the clients) turned out to be the priority one, which, due to the specificity of their activities, have long-term relationships with the manufacturer and high client reliability. It is the client group for which devising targeted strategies stimulating an increase in their demand is most reasonable. For the rest of the consumer groups, it is expedient to use standard marketing strategies.

Russian influence operations in the wars in Ukraine in 2014 and 2022: active measures and maskirovka

How does the Russian security and military elite think about influence operations? How have influence operations been used in practice in the two wars in Ukraine, in 2014 and 2022? We explore this by seeking to capture the Russian understanding of influence operations using the concepts “active measures” and “maskirovka”. As might be expected, Russia has used active measures and maskirovka in the wars against Ukraine. The greatest success was in 2014 when Ukraine and the West were virtually caught off guard and Crimea was captured almost without a fight. However, Russian influence operations have also been successful in 2022 invasion, primarily in misleading Ukraine about where the main attack was being launched. A misdirection that could have had fatal consequences for Ukraine.

Studying financial literacy of university students of non-economic specialties

Introduction. The urgent and complex issue of ensuring personal financial security is currently being addressed in a variety of ways, including in the form of various financial literacy training activities introduced in the educational process of higher education institutions. The aim of the research is the analysis of financial literacy of non-economic profile university students and their relevant competences in the field of personal security and online shopping. Materials and methods. The research material is represented by the questioning data obtained from 427 full-time 3rd and 4th year students of non-economic profile, as well as the data of continuous observation of academic performance of 693 non-economic profile students of Immanuel Kant Federal Baltic University (Russian Federation) trained in 2019-2022 in financial security within the framework of disciplines in basic economics and entrepreneurship which included a distance course “Money and its management”. Results. The analysis of data obtained in the course of the survey is evident of the demand for knowledge and competencies in financial literacy in the students of non-economic specialties (more than 60% of the respondents), demonstrates a sustainable aspiration to improve its level (90% of the respondents). The research confirmed the assumption that the students without special training have no due system of knowledge and competencies in the field of personal financial security and safe online shopping. In particular, 68% of the respondents did not have even a general idea about the system to ensure financial security in Russia; most of the respondents did not know about online shopping site checking services (96%) and 25% of the respondents did not think about online shopping security at all. The analysis of students’ opinions enabled the authors to update the materials on the subject of the research by adding relevant content. Conclusion. The system of personal financial security is an important component of the country’s economic security to be maintained by the younger generation. It is advisable to make separate training course on the basis of the financial literacy section included in the disciplines covering the fundamentals of economics and entrepreneurship. Keywords: students of non-economic profile, financial literacy, personal financial security, “safe online shopping” competence

Competitive approach to assessing the national security of the Russian Federation

The object of the study is the procedure for assessing the state of national security of the Russian Federation, which is being considered for its improvement based on the implementation of a competitive approach when conducting assessments. The authors review the current procedure for assessing national security and justify the need for its improvement. A comparative analysis of domestic and international experience in the formation of criteria, the hierarchical structure of indicators and the prioritization of threats is carried out. The necessity of forming a hierarchical structure, universalization and integration of indicators as part of the implementation of a competitive approach in assessing the state of national security is substantiated. Particular attention is paid to studying the possibility of using uniform international criteria and a system of indicators in domestic practice. Based on the results of the study, the following conclusions are presented. The state of security is not an absolute value, but is characterized by relative indicators obtained from the results of a comparative assessment of the indicators of competing countries. Security monitoring and assessment should be carried out on a cross-country rating basis, comparing different countries, including countries whose activities are the source of the main challenges and threats. The novelty lies in the substantiation of the use of a competitive approach and rating methodology, allowing governing bodies to assess the state of security taking into account domestic development dynamics and a comparative analysis of the indicators of countries that can influence the state of security in Russia. Author also presented the associative series of national interests and national security indicators of the USA and Russia. In contrast to similar studies, an original approach to the formation of a set of indicators of the state of national security is proposed. Building a hierarchical structure of indicators provides an opportunity to focus on the most important international complex and integral indicators, and increase the efficiency and reliability of assessments. The main directions for improving assessment based on the implementation of structural-hierarchical and competitive approaches have been identified.

Review of the book by Smirnov A.A. "Formation of the system of legal support of information and psychological security in the Russian Federation"

This review is devoted to the book by Smirnov A.A. «Formation of the system of legal support of information and psychological security in the Russian Federation». The author reviews the existing approaches to the classification of types of information and psychological impact, presents the results of the analysis of the current Russian legislation, identifies problematic areas of domestic law, and presents recommendations regarding the improvement of legal mechanisms for ensuring information and psycho- logical security in Russia, taking into account foreign experience.

ON NATIONAL ECONOMIC SECURITY METАMORPHOSES AT THE PRESENT STAGE OF DEVELOPMENT OF RUSSIA AND THE WORLD COMMUNITY

The article presents a brief description of approaches to determining national economic security in Russia and abroad with an emphasis on the ongoing economic and political transformations both within and outside the considered states. The use of economic leverage under the threat of the use of weapons, which is the basis of the «unipolar world», broadcast by the United States of America, was noted, as a counterweight to which it was proposed to broadcast the thesis: «Live like a Human», which characterizes the totality of national interests of the Russian Federation in modern conditions of development of the world community.

Ensuring information security in order to preserve the national interests of Russia at the beginning of the 21st century

The purpose of this article is to analyze the main risks of information security in Russia in the new millennium and the effectiveness of information security programs in the Russian Federation. The object of the study is the information security system of the Russian Federation. The article identified the main risks of information security in Russia, such as cybercrime, violations of the rules for processing personal data, leaks of confidential information, and others. The authors analyzed the distribution of the listed types of threats to information security of Rostelecom's client companies for 2022. Attention is focused on the fact that a low culture of information security among military personnel and personnel working at the facilities of the Armed Forces can lead to vulnerabilities and risks of data leakage of important strategic facilities. The programs for ensuring information security of the Russian Federation were considered, including the Federal Target Program "Information Russia", the Federal Law "On the Protection of Personal Data" and others. The authors identified the main goals and indicators of such national programs. An analysis of the effectiveness of the information security system of the Russian Federation is carried out and a forecast of its development is presented. State programs aimed at developing the digital economy, protecting critical information infrastructure, developing mechanisms to combat cyber threats, as well as creating modern technologies for the Russian Armed Forces and cryptography are the key areas of Russia's work in this area. The authors also analyzed the forecast for the development of the Russian cybersecurity market, as well as the global forecast for the development of information security technologies. It is concluded that despite the measures taken by the Russian Federation to ensure information security, the system is still vulnerable to new threats. recommendations were developed to improve the current information security system in the Russian Federation.

The making of rivals and strange bedfellows: Patterns of Turkish and Russian security assistance in the Syrian and Libyan civil wars

ABSTRACT In the Libyan and Syrian civil wars, Russia and Turkey emerged as two principal players providing security assistance to opposing warring parties. While interventions on the part of the two foreign powers have introduced new dynamics into intractable and volatile armed conflicts, the underlying intention was to inject extraneous goals into ongoing conflicts and project power in the southern Mediterranean region. This article investigates security assistance theoretically and empirically. Theoretically, we propose a typology that distinguishes between formal, informal and semi-formal processes of wartime security assistance across the state-non-state dimension. Empirically, drawing on rare access to state officials, former and active rebels, as well as mercenary actors in Syria and Libya, we give a unique description of the patterns of security assistance provided by Russia and Turkey to state and non-state armed actors. We examine the ways in which the two foreign powers have created a nexus between the two conflicts by capitalizing on pre-existing security assistance frameworks in Syria to recruit and deploy fighters to Libya. Although security assistance has emerged as a competition site between Russia and Turkey, we demonstrate how mutual recognition of security interests has created margins for negotiation and agreement-reaching in Syria and Libya.

The Experience of Using Digital Technologies in the Financial Sector in Order to Ensure Economic Security in Russia and Abroad

The subject of the study is the analysis of the main areas of application of artificial intelligence technologies in the financial sector based on domestic and foreign practice, the object is artificial intelligence technologies in order to ensure economic security. The authors note that the possibilities of using artificial intelligence in the financial sector have been developing rapidly in recent years, bringing significant benefits in terms of efficiency, increased accuracy and cost-effectiveness. The development of digital technologies leads to the creation of new services that help increase the level of economic security. AI-based solutions are used in various areas of finance, including risk management, fraud detection, customer service, trading and investment analysis. This study examines the current state and future potential of artificial intelligence in the financial sector, the advantages and disadvantages of using such technologies, as well as recent trends and developments in this area. The information base of the study was made up of analytical materials of the Central Bank of the Russian Federation, scientific reports, reports of international consulting companies, studies of foreign IT corporations, scientific publications and statistical data of the Federal State Statistics Service. It is noted that artificial intelligence has the potential to transform the financial market, is an important tool for ensuring economic security. It allows you to create more secure and reliable financial management systems, as well as increase the transparency and efficiency of financial transactions. Similarly, artificial intelligence can also revolutionize tax administration by facilitating compliance and risk management, reducing errors and fraud, and increasing transparency and fairness in the tax system. The use of artificial intelligence in finance and taxation is expected to increase significantly in the coming years, with new solutions constantly emerging that can simplify and automate financial processes.

Agrarian law in the 21st century: traditions and prospects of development (Review of the speeches of the participants of the International Scientific and Practical Conference - The Second Kozyrev Readings)

The article is a review of the speeches of the participants of the Second All-Russian Scientific and Practical Conference with international participation “Agrarian Law in the 21st century: traditions and prospects of development (Kozyrev Readings)”. Topical issues of legal regulation of agrarian relations in the context of new challenges and threats were widely discussed at the Conference. In the speeches of many participants, the increasing role of agrarian and legal science and agrarian and legal regulation in modern conditions of ensuring food security in Russia was noted. Among the most pressing problems were the problems of environmental protection in the field of agricultural production, ensuring the safety of agricultural products (including organic), state support for farmers, rational use of agricultural land, effective management of the land fund, development of agrotourism and rural areas, and others.

State of Agricultural Production and Food Security in Russia in 2022

State of Agricultural Production and Food Security in Russia in 2022

Institutional trends of Russian agriculture as problems and advantages of development

It is established that the increase in the level of food security in Russia refers to the institutional problems of the economy. It is assumed that the long-standing reproductive imbalances in the economy may manifest themselves differently in the conditions of sanctions and changes in the institutional policy of the state. The purpose and objectives of the study were to analyze the positions of various authors regarding new trends in the development of the institutional factor in their countries. Institutional trends in the Russian economy, including agriculture, are evaluated. The depth of manifestation and the temporal extent of the most important institutional trends are determined: the trend to preserve small-scale production, imbalances in the development of crop production and animal husbandry, the imbalance of prices of agricultural producers and prices of products consumed by them, the uneven spatial development of Russian regions. The scientific novelty of the study lies in the fact that the main structural imbalances and contradictions in the institutional development of agriculture are systematized. To develop a proactive regulatory impact, it is recommended that the authorities and management monitor some new reproductive proportions.

Уровневая модель продовольственной безопасности

In the conditions of general macroeconomic instability, the threat of famine in a number of countries of the world, as well as in the context of global climate change, which causes various kinds of cataclysms, leading to crop losses in many countries, the food security of the state is considered as the most important part of its national security. This article explores trends and methods for assessing the level of food security in the Russian Federation as a whole, and one of the regions of the Russian Federation (Omsk region), in particular. The purpose of the work is to analyze the level of food security of the Russian Federation and the Omsk region, their relationship and interdependence. Approaches were also applied to the analysis of statistical and predictive models in the field of strategic planning and management of the national security of the state. A model for assessing the level of food security was developed, an analysis of the level of food security in Russia and the Omsk region was carried out within the framework of the developed model, and conclusions were drawn about their relationship.

Assessment of agricultural production in Russia in the context of global food security

The world’s economies are focused on sustainable development and food security. One of the main components of the food security system of the country - agricultural production - is highlighted. The study aims to identify the problems and prospects for the development of food security. The objectives of the study are related to the justification of the system of indicators (criteria) to assess the level of food security of countries, the choice of the list of countries for comparative analysis, conducting economic and statistical analysis, formulating directions to improve food security management. The system of indicators to assess the level of food security in the countries based on the assessment of average annual indices of production and consumption of products per capita and per arable land or livestock, poultry. An assessment of food security in terms of agricultural development indicators was conducted for the years 2010-2018. The scientific novelty of the research consists in the development of a methodology for assessing food security indicators, assessment of progressive and negative changes in the level of food security, formulation of conclusions to improve food security in Russia. The practical significance of the study lies in the possibility of developing a more efficient state agricultural policy.

Geopolitical Security of Russia: Remarks on the Problem Statement

This paper summarizes the results of the seminar “Geopolitical Security of Russia: Remarks on the Problem Statement”, held on August 26, 2022, at the Immanuel Kant Baltic Federal University, Kaliningrad. During the seminar, the Institute of Geopolitical and Regional Studies of the university announced an initiative to devise a system of monitoring the geopolitical (regional) security of Russia. The debate centred around the development of a conceptual framework and a geopolitical security model as a prerequisite for the system. The discussion also covered other relevant issues, including the definition of geopolitical security and geopolitical space as well as the types of geopolitical threats and vulnerabilities. Another topic on the agenda was the analysis of theoretical approaches applicable to monitoring the geopolitical security in Russia. A constructivist approach based on discursive practices was viewed as the most promising for tracking changes in geopolitical threats. In this work, the emphasis should be placed on regional issues, i. e. the situation in particular regions. Other promising avenues for further research are the operationalization of relevant concepts and the development of a set of indicators of geopolitical threats and vulnerabilities, which Russia has already faced and may face in the future.

Formation of the pension security in Russia under the conditions of reform

The issues of pension provision should be studied as closely as possible when developing the pension system of Russia in the conditions of reform. The basis of pension provision in all countries is the responsibility of generations. That is, those who work now, they support those who are now retired.

Excessive Income Inequality In Russia As A Threat To Economic Growth And Societal Security

The author makes the case that the growth of the Russian economy in the 2000s was socially detrimental as it was accompanied by an increased inequality of Russians both in terms of current incomes and accumulated wealth. A qualitative analysis of the socio-economic inequality that has developed in modern Russia is carried out in unity with its quantitative characteristics; the factors contributing to inequality in various countries are explained, both objective and influenced by policy. Inequality in income distribution, on one hand, is seen as a possible accelerator of economic growth, and on the other hand, the way it slows the GDP growth down is also revealed. Describing the normal income stratification as accelerating and the excessive stratification as, on the contrary, slowing down the economic growth, the author, by analogy with the Laffer curve, proposes an original income stratification curve, on the basis of which a set of interconnected proposals is substantiated to return the excessive differentiation of Russians to the limits of normality in order to guarantee sustainable economic development and reliable societal security in Russia.

Пути укрепления энергетической безопасности изолированных районов Дальнего Востока и Арктики с применением инструментов «зеленой» модернизации промышленных объектов энергоснабжения

Subject/topic. The article is devoted to the search for ways to strengthen the energy security of isolated regions of the Far East and the Arctic using the tools of «green» modernization of industrial energy supply facilities. The subject of the research is ensuring the energy security of isolated energy regions. Goals/objectives. Based on an assessment of the state and problems of energy security in isolated regions of the Far East and the Arctic of Russia, practice-oriented recommendations for the comprehensive promotion of «green» modernization of industrial energy supply facilities have been identified and substantiated. Methodology. The basis of the work methodology are general scientific methods: synthesis and deduction. When analysing the technical condition and energy efficiency of energy supply facilities, the method of a sample survey of 24 enterprises located in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia), the Kamchatka Territory and the Magadan Region was applied. The potential of modernization projects is illustrated by the case materials of the hybrid modernization project (Tabalah). Results. The article clarifies the problems of ensuring the energy security of isolated areas and systematizes advanced foreign experience. It has been determined that sanctions are one of the major challenges in the subject area. Proposed measures and tools to promote the «green» modernization of industrial power supply facilities, including a set of long-term guidelines for the modernization of energy systems, tools for digitalization of modernization projects, the development of a system of energy service contracts and «green» financing, as well as loop mechanisms for adaptation to sanctions risks. Conclusions/relevance. Modernization of energy facilities based on internal development and innovation can significantly improve the energy efficiency, sustainability, and environmental safety of isolated energy systems. Application. The results of the study can serve as the basis for the development of new approaches to ensuring energy security in Russia and the world.