Countering the involvement of Russian youth in the ranks of terrorists and extremists as an element of the system for combating terrorist and extremist activities

This article addresses the pressing and highly social problem of the involvement of young Russians in extremist and terrorist organizations. The issue is investigated based on the works of foreign and domestic specialists - legal scholars, criminologists, psychologists, and sociologists - as well as information obtained from a survey of Russian experts with extensive practical experience in combating terrorism and extremism (52 experts were surveyed). In studying the chosen problem, the following methods were used: comparative-historical, deduction and induction, formal-logical, comparison and extrapolation, contextual analysis, and content analysis. The research uncovered and described the historical roots, main trends, and causes of the growth and intensification of recruitment activity by representatives of extremist and terrorist structures targeting youth; identified gaps in the legislation regulating the sphere of countering involvement in terrorist and extremist communities; exposed current shortcomings in the mechanism for preventing the spread of terrorist and extremist ideology; and detailed the characteristics of contemporary Russian youth that make them susceptible to recruitment into the ranks of terrorists and extremists. Furthermore, the study examined the determinants of the sustained interest among young Russians in the activities of terrorist and extremist criminal groups; the primary methods and techniques currently used for persuasion and recruitment by terrorists and extremists; the stages of recruitment activity; the main motives for young Russian citizens j oining extremist and terrorist structures; and the specifics of financing the networks and channels for involving Russian youth in the ranks of terrorists and extremists. A solution was also proposed for the current problem of how facts and events related to terrorist and extremist activities are covered in the mass media, aiming to prevent the generation of interest and desire among young audiences to join these activities. Based on the research results, reasoned and substantiated conclusions were drawn that the current system for combating terrorist and extremist activities requires updating and modernization. Consequently, the author has developed and proposed new, promising directions, pathways, and measures to counter the involvement of young Russians in extremist and terrorist organizations. It is emphasized that these measures must be comprehensive and socio-legal in nature, encompassing both legal instruments for preventing this harmful criminal activity and measures of an organizational, technical, spiritual, moral, and sociopolitical nature. The author declares no conflicts of interests.

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