The problems of the development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation have attracted regular attention of government and scientific figures over the past decades. A number of social, economic, and infrastructural problems slow down the pace of development of this vast region. Sustainability experts develop a range of legislative recommendations, that are capable of accelerating the modernization of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The range of proposed measures includes transport and infrastructure measures (for example, fixing the concept and regulation of seasonal roads, measures to expand and update the fleet of aviation equipment), design and agricultural (for example, the creation / modernization of enterprises for the processing of reindeer products, subsidies for the provision mixed fodder), social (organization of high-tech medical care, updating the system of social guarantees for northerners, development of standards for the development of the urban environment specifically for the Arctic zone) nature.

The article discusses topical issues of the integrated development of the Arctic. Analysis of strategic plans for the development of Arctic and subarctic territories was carried out. The authors proposed a number of main directions for the development of scientific projects in the northern territories of Russia (PP): on the need to develop the Arctic Code of the Russian Federation to systematize regulations, on the development of federal socioeconomic standards for the quality of life of people in PP, on the prospect of developing structures for the creation of robotic complexes for the extraction of natural resources, etc. It was concluded that for the breakthrough development and implementation of innovative scientific projects, it is necessary to consolidate the efforts of the entire scientific community, mainly scientific and scientific and educational units engaged in scientific and technological activities in the Arctic and subarctic territories, in order to develop human potential and the effectiveness of the use of technologies and materials for Arctic and subarctic purposes.

Over the past few years, the Northern Sea Route has received increased international attention for a number of reasons. This circumstance makes us take a fresh look at how the maritime transport of the Eastern Arctic can be integrated into the international transport space. In this vein, the patterns of development of the regions of the Eastern Arctic and their seaports are considered. Infrastructural problems and development prospects are identified. The conditions and opportunities for the integration of maritime transport in the Eastern Arctic into the global transport space under the conditions of intensive development of the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation are determined. It is concluded that, first of all, it is necessary to determine the most important and strategically significant infrastructure projects, observing the economic, environmental and social values of the region. Secondly, to synchronize infrastructure and production projects to ensure sustainable economic growth and territorial connectivity of the region, which will ensure the development of production facilities, remove infrastructure restrictions and attract additional transit cargo.

The article discusses the role and significance of Norilsk Nickel as one of the actors of sustainable development in the Arctic region. The author considers Norilsk Nickel’s projects and argues for the company’s significant role in achieving UN goals (in particular, SDGs 6-8, 12-15, 17), strengthening the system of sustainable development and links between other actors. The author argues that some of the UN SDGs are achieved by the Company through the development of the ESG system, elimination of negative consequences of its activities, assumption of some responsibilities by other actors, active interaction with public and state actors, research and international structures. The methodological basis of the study was the Helix model, in particular “Quadruple helix», which is traditionally used to analyze the role of actors of innovative development. As a result of the analysis of Nornickel projects, the author proposes the development of the helix model by adding a fifth spiral and the role of «Destructor» (to the roles of «Observer» and «Creator»). In the transition to sustainable development there are cases of not only creative but also destructive roles of actors (arising spontaneously or consciously). With a responsible and conscious attitude toward sustainable development, a destructive actor’s role can stimulate constructive roles.

The European Union (EU) “realized” its Arctic interests mainly due to the entry of Denmark, and then Finland and Sweden, which forced Brussels to start developing special programs for the development of the northern and subarctic territories. Over time, the Arctic has become an increasingly important object of attention for scientists, ecologists, power engineers, the military, including those from the EU countries. It was gradually opened up as a military-strategic region, influencing the global climate, forming new logistical sea routes, and as a storehouse of resources. Given the ever-growing interest in the Arctic of the socalled non-Arctic players, primarily China, the EU is also striving to define its position in the region. Its ability to cooperate with other actors, including the Arctic Council, is limited by many factors and circumstances. Nevertheless, Brussels is clearly following the agenda of increasing its presence in the Arctic. However, given the current de facto ignorance by the Arctic Council countries of the largest Arctic state represented by Russia, the still cautious attitude towards the EU on the part of other Council members may be changed. The purpose of the article is to identify the most significant factors that determine the possibility of strengthening the EU’s position in the Arctic, as well as the circumstances that impede this strategy. To achieve this goal, it is necessary to solve the following tasks: to analyze the main aspects of the EU Arctic strategy; identify opportunities for EU interaction with Arctic institutions; indicate the influence of the Russian factor on the Arctic prospects of the EU.

The strengthening of Germany's position after 1990 allowed it to expand its geopolitical ambitions in regions previously little included in the foreign policy agenda of Germany. One of these regions has become the Arctic, the development and study of which takes place through participation in international Arctic organizations, as well as through bilateral agreements with Arctic states. However, at the end of the twentieth century, until 2013, Germany's Arctic position can be characterized as unambitious and passive, due to the lack of funding for German delegations to participate in Arctic Council working groups, insufficient coordination policy between federal ministries and agencies whose areas include the development and implementation of Arctic policy, as well as the lack of common interest in the implementation of national priorities in the region through the structures of the Arctic Council. Germany participates in the development of projects mainly related to ecology. This position creates a favorable image of Germany as the patron saint of the Arctic, which does not detract from the scientific value of German climate and environmental research. For the Arctic policy of Germany, it is also characteristic to involve broad segments of society in scientific research, thereby instilling the idea of a stable German presence in the Arctic.

The article is devoted to the strategic role of Siberia in the socio-economic development of the Russian state in general and interregional relations in particular. The author consistently examines the formation and evolution of the evaluative perception of the economic and social significance of Siberia by key statesmen of the Russian Empire, namely N.H. Bunge, S.Y. Witte, P.A. Stolypin. The article analyzes the level of industrial development of Russia in the XlX-early XX century through the method of comparison with the most industrially developed countries of Europe and the world. Siberia, according to the objective opinion of the reformers of the turn of the century, was the «currency storehouse» of Russia, whose bowels needed competent development. However, this task is feasible only if the number of qualified population in Siberia grows and the operational management of industrial processes from the center. The author focuses on the analysis of management decisions on reforming community relations, attracting labor resources to Siberia and planning projects for the development of Siberia, which were developed by these statesmen (N.H. Bunge, S.Y. Witte and P.A. Stolypin). These projects organically combine continuity and innovative features: N.H. Bunge is characterized by attention to the issues of resettlement of peasants and the development of the institute of private land ownership in Siberia, S.Y. Witte is characterized by an emphasis on the creation of an extensive transport infrastructure, P.A. Stolypin is distinguished by attention to the social sphere (medicine and education in Siberia). The article concludes with statement of the high importance of the reform activity of N.H. Bunge, S.Y. Witte, P.A. Stolypin and their role in establishing communications between the European, Siberian and Far Eastern regions of Russia, in raising the level of economic and cultural development of Siberia and strengthening the reputation of the Russian Empire as an industrial power.

The historical aspects of the formation of the modern geocultural space of the Russian North are discussed. This space is saturated with objects of the cultural heritage of ancient Russia - traces of ancient settlements, sacred pagan temples and groves. Numerous ancient Christian shrines are represented here: wooden chapels and churches, monastic complexes that make up the cultural landscape of the Russian North. Particular attention is paid to the water and portage routes of the penetration of the Slavs into the northern territories, as objects of cultural heritage, as well as unique ancient religious sites located on these routes. The problems of rational use of the richest natural and cultural heritage of the European North of Russia for tourism purposes are considered. The need for active development of transport and hotel infrastructure in the region is noted. It is shown that on the territory of the Russian North there are favorable prospects for the development of domestic and inbound tourism as factors for the sustainable development of the region.

The article analyzes the legislative support and the foundations of youth policy in Russia, some regional concepts and approaches to youth policy, in particular in the Arkhangelsk, Murmansk regions, in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) . The authors link the problems of youth policy in the regions of the Arctic zone with the lack of a single document defining the goals and methods of cooperation in the field of youth policy of federal, regional and municipal structures of the Russian Arctic with non-profit organizations, public associations and business structures. It is proposed to develop a special concept of the state youth policy in the Arctic zone of the Russian Federation. The need for such a Concept is due to the need to take into account the special geocultural, economic, demographic, social, geopolitical characteristics of the region and the formation of a holistic, integrated, systematic approach to youth policy in the Arctic zone. The authors argue that the ethnocultural saturation of the Arctic region, the special working conditions and the harsh climate of the North contribute to the formation of a special Arctic spiritual and cultural community. In the very Concept of the youth policy of the regions of the Arctic zone, attention is focused on patriotic and ideological aspects.

The paper deals with the research data on the ethnic, civil and regional identity of the youth of the Arkhangelsk region, obtained during the pilot sociological project in autumn 2021. The results of the survey are compared with the data of similar studies conducted in the region in the 2000s. The low inter-ethnic tension and the relevance of ethnic selfidentification are confirmed. The readiness of the «transitional» and «post-Soviet» generations to accept the formula of the Russian Constitution about the «state-forming people» and the corresponding «de-ethnization» of the concept of «Russian» is shown. Other issue of the paper concerns the theme of the «Pomorian revival». Project data show that in the youth environment this theme is deactivated, the majority attribute the «Pomors» to the Russian ethnic group, and the name «Pomorye» mainly means only the geographical space. Third, a high frequency of negative assessments of the regional economy, social sphere, public safety and labor market, which correlate with the migration readiness of young people, was noted. The destructive impact of these assessments on the stability of regional identity, treated as the basis of socio-economic stability in the Arkhangelsk region as one of the key regions in terms of Russia's national interests in the Arctic, is noted.