Arutyunova E.M. Ethnicity and Regionality in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia): Identities Under External Pressure. Social Sciences. 2025. Vol. 56. No. 2. Pp. 43-57.

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This article analyzes the importance of ethnic, regional, and lo- cal identities in the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) in 2023, based on a represen- tative mass survey, expert interviews, and in-depth interviews. It was found that ethnic identity remains consistently significant for Sakha (ethnic Yakuts). The importance of ethnic identity is also growing among ethnic Russian Ya- kutians, as it is more broadly among ethnic Russians in Russia in recent years. This article examines the cognitive content of ethnic identity, the most im- portant component of which, according to both Sakha and Russians, is native language. Culture, territory, and customs are also considered important. Re- ligion is becoming an increasingly significant element of ethnic identity for Sakha. For Russian Yakutians, shared statehood and common history are also important, which is associated with the overlap between Russian ethnic and Russian civic identities for ethnic Russians. This article shows that regional and local identities are also highly signif- icant for the people of Yakutia, and for the majority, these identities coexist with the Russian civic identity. A strong sense of regional identity is recorded among Russian Yakutians; this is particularly important in a region where newcomers to the industrial sector were for a long time regarded – and re- garded themselves – as temporary residents and guests in the local commu- nity.The study also found that when it comes to the issue of prioritizing the rights of particular ethnic communities, the overwhelming majority of the republic’s residents hold an open and positive view: “All citizens of Russia should have equal rights.” However, more than a third of Sakha respondents believe that “members of the indigenous ethnic group should have  more rights in their ethnic republic than members of other ethnic groups.” This position is, on the one hand, potentially discriminatory and conducive to inequality, and on the other, may stem from a fear of losing one’s own ethnic identity. It is also shown that the widespread regional opinion that peoples of the republics would benefit from greater autonomy is shared by a large propor- tion of respondents, both among Sakha and among Russian Yakutians. This may potentially help strengthen the regional community. At the same time, it is important to prevent the expansion of influence by external actors hostile to Russia who attempt to exploit the so-called anticolonial and anti-imperial agenda in order to undermine the integrity of Russia.

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