Russian Regions and the Federal Center Against Global Threats: a Year Of Fighting COVID-19

The article examines the preliminary results and lessons of interaction between the federal center and Russian regions in countering global threats. The specifics of the Russian Federation are revealed that distinguish it from a number of other states in fighting COVID-19, both negative and favorable factors and conditions are considered. It is shown that the Russian Federation, despite how grave the situation was, demonstrated fairly high resistance to unraveling coronavirus crisis during the first wave of COVID-19. In 2020, in federal relations between the center and regions, there were tendencies towards decentralization; however, the redistribution of powers to regions often ran up against the low quality of regional governance. In the context of joint confrontation with global threats, it is shown that in Russia, it is necessary to find a compromise between competitive and cooperative federalism. The pandemic-related growth of the digital economy, expansion of teleworking practices, use of telemedicine, etc., will lead to an increase in digital inequality, asymmetry, and competition among Russian regions. This will require special forms of government regulation and appropriate resources. The article concludes that only a sharp breakthrough in the knowledge economy is capable of ensuring Russia’s independence in the future in combating similar global threats (as well as consolidating and strengthening the practice of proactive and effective public administration at all levels: federal, regional and local).