Typology of problem regions in Russia and abroad

The article reveals the possible options for the development of disadvantaged regions, discovers and investigates the specific typology of the most popular regions that have been developed to overcome the less-developed regions ofthe Russian Federation and the EU zone. Background study confirms the need to address one ofthe most difficult issues ofthe modern economy ofthe Russian Federation - the formation and development of certain types of regions within a single country's economy. The growing socio-economic disparity in regional development, the emergence of problem (occasionally to the extent of crisis) regions, the disintegration ofthe Russian economic zone call for innovative mechanisms to facilitate socio-economic stability and sustainability in the regions. The article identifies the types and subtypes of underdeveloped regions in the European Union. At the same time, the urgency and the variety of regional issues in the Russian Federation require detailed strategic research initiatives and innovative proposals coming from representatives of regional authorities. Significant contribution into this process is made through the development of theoretical and methodological solutions to problems of state regulation of the processes of lagging regions'sustainable development. There is an urgent need for a broad picture ofthe economic reforms in the Russian regions, for a track-record of major destabilizing factors incidence, for a potential economic growth model, for options and mechanisms for ongoing socio-economic growth as dependent mainly on the internal potential ofthe region and the most effective use of its own resources and capabilities. The to-date opinions, strategy and market environment conditions are not consistent with the concept of sustainable development in general and the locally-shared vision ofsustainable development.