The role of the phenomenon of the population defence consciousness in the current geopolitical situation

Introduction. The aim is to clarify the essence structure and substantiate the relevance of the development of defence consciousness in modern Russian society in the conditions of geopolitical challenges which objectively exist. Materials, Results and Discussion. The psychological component is based on the awareness of threats and the need for personal participation in the defence of accepted value orientations. The political element is expressed in the existence of a defence ideology that is understandable and accepted by the dominant part of the society. The social side focuses on the formation of globally significant defence behaviour of the population on the basis of involvement in current events and solidarity attitude to the necessity of protecting social foundations. The philosophical component reflects the degree of civil responsibility of both individual and society as a whole for future generations and the need to preserve historical memory. As a complex category, defence consciousness is a set of conscious psychological assessments that motivate civil society to increase activity to protect ideologically confirmed values and elements of state sovereignty, and mobilizes the internal resources of society. Defence consciousness is the most important socio-psychological characteristics of human capital, which ensures the use of physiological and intellectual abilities of society to protect its own national interests. In the current geopolitical situation, the protective role of defence consciousness increases manifold, which makes it an object of hybrid aggression from unfriendly countries.