Russian Identity: Tested by the Geopolitical Crisis

The paper assesses the impact of the modern geopolitical crisis, caused by the war in Ukraine, on the Russian national identity. National identity is considered as a special kind of psychological connection between a citizen and the country, which manifests a sense of identity with its people, a sense of the inseparability of a common destiny. In international conflicts, a strong national identity helps the nation to consolidate, resist threats, and ensure sovereign development. Based on the data of the leading Russian sociological centers, the author concludes that in a state of conflict Russian identity strengthens. Most Russians have warm feelings for their country, and associate their future with it, trust in the main political institutions and the president is growing. Two-thirds of Russians believe that the country is moving in the right direction, and only one fourth is convinced of the opposite. Three-quarter of Russians support a special military operation in Ukraine. The author concludes that despite the clear signs of strengthening national identity in the new geopolitical realities, the state should constantly focus on processes that can influence the formation of spiritual ties between Russian citizens and their homeland. The paper means both an active information policy in support of a special military operation, and the specific work of the government to reduce the level of anxiety in society, maintain citizens' confidence in their future and the future of Russia.