The Role of New Media in the Socio-Cultural and Political Integration of the Youth of Donetsk and Mariupol

The incorporation of new regions into the Russian Federation has necessitated their integration into the national sociocultural space. Amidst the formation of new realities, the youth of Donetsk and Mariupol represent the most receptive population group to change. Their identity, value-semantic orientations, and political preferences are subject to the influence of various factors; through the effective formation of a unified sociocultural and political field, sustainable development of the new state entity emerges among the youth in the regions under investigation. In the field of socio-cultural integration, the main focus is on the formation of civic and national identity through patriotic education and the creation of a shared historical memory. Political integration is pursued through the engagement of youth in state structures, the cultivation of loyalty to the political system, and the counteraction of alternative narratives, achieved through the active utilization of new media. Socioeconomic integration is driven by the emerging opportunities for employment, access to education, and enhancement of the quality of life.