Regional trajectories of digital transformation in russia: between federal standardization and local specifics

Abstract

The article provides a comparative analysis of the digital transformation of state-citizen interactions across the constituent entities of the Russian Federation. The research is grounded in a representative array of empirical data obtained through qualitative sociological monitoring (a series of expert focus groups and interviews) conducted between 2023 and 2025 in all eight federal districts of Russia. Based on the findings, the author conceptualizes two fundamental structural models of regional digitalization: the «ecosystem model» of leading cities, characterized by deep service integration, and the «catching-up adaptation model» in regions with objective infrastructural barriers. These are overlaid by a universal cross-cutting framework - the «hybrid-communication model». The paper provides a detailed analysis of the dialectical tension between unifying federal standards and local specifics. Special attention is given to the institutionalization of feedback systems through Regional Management Centers (RMCs) and the implementation of the «Gostech» platform as tools for standardizing governance quality and strengthening institutional trust. The author explores algorithmic risks, the phenomenon of citizens' «pragmatic consensus», and evaluates the prospects for transitioning to a proactive public administration model. The study substantiates the emergence of a sovereign digital ecosystem in Russia, the success of which directly depends on balancing advanced federal platforms with algorithmic transparency and the mitigation of the multi-level digital divide.