This study investigates the nominative processes within contemporary terminological systems. A review of existing literature reveals a contradiction between the cognitive nature of trans-terminalization and the limited potential of structural approaches to its investigation. The research material comprises trans-terminalized units from the terminology of assisted reproductive technologies, sourced from recent scientific articles and monographs. It is argued that the domain of assisted reproductive technologies falls under the “umbrella” of the broader knowledge area of bioethics, which regulates the relationship between all forms of life and various technologies. The study emphasizes that additional conceptual structures — financial, legal, and moral-ethical — are involved in the realm of assisted reproductive technologies, similar to those in bioethics, aimed at regulating the impact of science and technology. Cognitive semantic methods, such as frame analysis and conceptual integration modeling, are employed to explore trans-terminalization. It is demonstrated that trans-terminalization is a linguistic-cognitive phenomenon present in secondary terminological systems of complex fields of knowledge, manifested through active lexical-semantic processes in both the borrowed terms and the units of the adapting terminological system

This article attempts to reconceptualize traditional notions of poetics from the perspective of a cognitive-discursive paradigm. Plot and composition are examined as integral elements of narrative, relating them to its anthropocentric components — the narrator, the abstract author, and the abstract reader. The findings are based on an analysis of a corpus of German-language short prose, allowing for conclusions regarding the genre-specific characteristics of plot and composition in short stories. The narrative method of material interpretation reveals that plot and composition are grounded in temporal and atemporal relationships, respectively. It is emphasized that the plot reflects the causal determination of parts (episodes) of the narrative, while composition pertains to its functional-pragmatic aspects. This distinction positions the plot within the fictional level of the communicative structure of the narrative, whereas composition aligns with the abstract level. It is demonstrated that the lack of eventfulness in the plot of a short story obstructs access to the narrative’s eventfulness, which is regarded in narratology as a distinctive feature of narrative. Furthermore, it is established that the eventfulness of short narratives is shaped along the axis of composition, which contains pragmatic signals that coalesce into an interpretative framework reflecting the author’s perceptions of the reader’s interpretative possibilities. The author concludes that it is indeed composition, rather than the eventless plot of the short story, that provides the essential criterion for narrative, expressed through the narrative punch.

This study investigates the Mozdok and Besleneev dialects of the Kabardino-Circassian language. The article presents the findings of a comparative analysis of these dialects, focusing on their similarities and differences in relation to each other and to the literary language. The research draws on the works of prominent Caucasian scholars who have explored this topic. New recordings of speech from speakers of both dialects, collected between 2022 and 2024 in their respective regions, serve as primary data sources. Special attention is given to the consonantal inventory, where consonants absent in the literary language but phonetically similar in the studied dialects are identified. The relevance of this work stems from the pressing need to examine the contemporary state of these variants of the Kabardino-Circassian language through the collection and analysis of new field data. The novelty of the study lies in its re-evaluation of dialectal features of the Kabardino-Circassian language variants for the first time in several decades. It is demonstrated that the examined dialects employ several sounds that are phonetically similar substitutes for literary forms: чI [ch’], чIъ [ch], щIъ [sh] instead of щI [sh’], г (g) instead of дж [dz], жь [zh’] instead of ж [zh], among others. Additionally, each dialect exhibits its own specific properties in the use of consonant sounds.

This article is based on the insufficiently studied scholarly legacy of the Russian academician Gottlieb Siegfried Bayer (1694–1738). It presents, for the first time, an analysis of the vocabulary found in one of the earliest monuments of the Tobol-Irtysh dialect of Siberian Tatars, specifically within a manuscript Latin-Tatar-Vogul dictionary preserved in Bayer’s archive (Glasgow, United Kingdom). The study establishes that Bayer’s dictionary was compiled based on the lexicon recorded by Russian academician Gerhard Friedrich Müller (1705–1783) in Tobolsk in 1734, which includes terms of common, basic vocabulary. The article analyzes a selection of lexical items (16 out of 99) from the Bayer-Müller dictionary with respect to their semantics, etymology, and graphic-phonetic characteristics. The research identifies indigenous Turkic lexemes as well as borrowings. Among the indigenous Turkic words are terms denoting natural phenomena (Kun ‘sun; day’, Jildű̀s ‘star’, Agatsch ‘tree; forest’, Urman ‘forest’, Kul ‘lake’), those related to society and human activities (Achtscha ‘money’, kul ‘servant’, ok ‘arrow’), the ancient common Kipchak term for deity (Tangri), and the etymologically unclear Siberian Tatar bűre`n ‘lake’. Borrowed terms are associated with Islamic religion: Chudai ‘God’, Asman ‘sky’, Atnia̋ ‘week’ (from ‘Friday’) — from Persian; Jumà ‘Friday, week’, Auwa ‘sky’, Schaitan ‘devil’ — from Arabic. A graphic-phonetic analysis of the material reveals distinctive features of vowel and consonant patterns characteristic of the Tobol-Irtysh dialect in the first half of the 18th century.

This article explores the peculiarities of identifying and overcoming linguocultural lacunae in translated literary texts, specifically focusing on the stylistic material of M. A. Bulgakov's novel “The Master and Margarita.” By employing an inductive method of linguistic-cognitive analysis, we identify several implicit lacunae. The main findings are as follows: 1) The invariants revealed during the analysis of the translated literary text serve as a means to bridge significant linguistic and cultural lacunae; 2) Analyzing certain translation choices can provide material for investigating the nature of lacunae and their existence within literary texts from both synchronic and diachronic perspectives. We propose a structure for an academic translation commentary designed to integrate the artistic narrative into its historical context, thereby addressing substantial lacunae. The commentary is viewed as an integral part of the translation and the creative translation process. This study examines the following translations of “The Master and Margarita”: by Michael Glenny (1967), Mirra Ginsburg (1967), Diana L. Burgin and Katherine T. O'Connor (1993), Richard Pevear and Larissa Volokhonsky (1997), and Hugh Aplin (2008).

This article explores the approaches to translating dialogical unity featuring tag questions from William Shakespeare’s tragedy “Hamlet.” It analyzes translations of a specific fragment of the source text, which contains this dialogical unity, carried out by various domestic translators including N. Polev, A. Kroneberg, M. Vronchenko, and M. Zagulaev in the 19th century, as well as B. Pasternak, M. Lozinsky, A. Radlova, and Y. Lifshitz in the 20th century, and A. Agroskin, I. Peshkov, A. Chernov, and V. Poplavsky in the 21st century. The study highlights the diversity of translation options and characterizes the differences in the choice of translation techniques. It demonstrates that the variability of translations is linked to the translator’s attitude towards tag questions. Two directions of interpretation by translators are identified: when understood as interrogative sentences, the tags are rendered as brief question structures such as “isn't it?”, “right?”, “isn't that so?”, “perhaps?”, “why not?”, which can also be more elaborate: “could it really be so?”, “it could have been that way too, couldn't it?” Conversely, if tag questions are interpreted as emotionally charged statements by the character, translators often see no need to convey the interrogative tags. The analysis reveals that the interpretation of lines containing tag questions depends on the translators’ perception of Shakespeare’s intent and their understanding of the mood and state of the characters.

This article examines contemporary studies of the Russian orthographic system. The relevance of this research is underscored by the necessity for theoretical reflection on existing scientific approaches to orthographic material. The diversity of directions, positions, and methods employed by authors in their approaches to the orthographic system is characterized. A theoretical analysis of sources, selected based on keywords from scientometric databases, has been utilized. An increasing interest in linguistic norms in the current linguistic situation of recent years is noted. Attention is given to the issues of standardization of the orthographic system during periods of social change. It is observed that recent years have seen a focus on studying the orthographic identity of the average language user. The emergence of “spontaneous” (natural) orthography is discussed. The necessity for writing to meet the demands of modern information technologies is emphasized. The influence of virtual communication on orthographic norms is identified. Overall, a synthesized overview of contemporary perspectives on Russian orthography is presented. As a result, the author concludes that there is a multifaceted nature to the directions in the study of current issues in Russian orthography. The potential for further research in the theory and history of Russian orthography, as well as methodologies for teaching it in schools and universities, is highlighted.

This article provides a comprehensive review and analysis of the instances of color terminology used in the discourse of artists as professionals engaged with color. The aim of this research is to uncover the specific features of color perception and verbalization, as well as the employment of color names in the language of artists. The study is based on 2,500 contexts selected from the autobiographies of notable figures such as Marc Chagall, Konstantin Korovin, Kuzma Petrov-Vodkin, Ilya Repin, and Nicholas Roerich. Employing methods from structural analysis (component analysis, distributional analysis, semantic field analysis), cognitive semantics (cognitive interpretation method), and psycholinguistics (experiments, surveys), the paper presents general statistics on the usage of color names within the analyzed material. A categorization of color terminology is proposed based on cognitive foundations, corresponding to the type and level of mental distortion of color in relation to objective reality. The analysis addresses color names in the context of artists’ speech, examining their use as both painters and art philosophers. The role of generic terms kraska [paint] in reflecting the material embodiment of color is also discussed. Additionally, the study raises questions regarding the use of prototypical combinations (e.g., zelenyy lug [green meadow]). It is established that artists conceptualize color names as independent phenomena, subjects of discussion and evaluation, aiming for precision in expression over vividness, and tending to utilize professional terminology while imbuing color names with additional evaluative qualities.

This article investigates the lexical characteristics of the chronicle of the Armenian community that settled in the medieval Polish town of Kamieniec during the 16th and 17th centuries. The study draws on over fifteen lexical items that have not been previously examined by specialists in Middle Armenian. The results of the comparative analysis reveal that the majority of these words are direct borrowings from Polish, Ukrainian, German, and Kipchak languages. Additionally, there are some indirect borrowings from Latin. It is reported that a portion of the newly discovered words constitutes neologisms created based on typical word formation patterns of Middle Armenian. For the first time, this article explores and introduces into academic discourse data on the newly identified lexical units of Polish Armenians from the 16th to 17th centuries, which will enrich the layers of borrowings and neologisms in Middle Armenian. The study emphasizes that the Armenians of Kamieniec, while cohabitating with Poles, Ukrainians, and Kipchaks, engaged in financial-economic, legal, cultural, and other interactions, resorting to borrowings when necessary. This underscores their complete adaptation and integration into this environment.

This article examines the distinctive features of periphrastic nominations of St. Petersburg in modern media texts, as represented in the newspaper corpus of the Russian National Corpus. The study aims to identify the current meanings and functional capabilities of these units within media discourse. The relevance of this research is underscored by its linguo-pragmatic focus, emphasizing the importance of studying toponymic periphrases as a means of influencing readers and as a significant linguistic resource for journalists. It is demonstrated that figurative nominations of St. Petersburg are actively employed in media texts, assisting authors in marking the location of events, shaping perceptions of the city, providing evaluations, and highlighting necessary meanings. The author identifies several functions of periphrases, including references to historical epochs, means of poeticization, positive evaluation, substantive characterization, and assessing contemporary events through historical associations; the synonymous replacement of a toponym with a figurative expression allows for the avoidance of repetition. In newspaper texts, the semantic scope of toponymic periphrases varies, with an observable expansion of meanings and the development of metaphorical imagery. The use of periphrases confirms the relevance of the topic of comparing the two capitals for native speakers. Examples are provided illustrating the construction of puns using St. Petersburg periphrases based on homonymy, polysemy, antonymy of statement components, as well as structural-semantic transformations of periphrastic constructions.

This study analyzes the current state of the Nigerian variety of English within the English-language media landscape of Nigeria. The primary objective of the article is to assess the degree of creolization of the English language at the phonetic, morphological, lexical, and syntactic levels in the Nigerian online newspaper “Punch.” Unique characteristics of English-language Nigerian media discourse are identified, including a limited range of topics and publication volume, a predominance of analytical and informational article genres, and the creolization of English. It is demonstrated that phonetic creolization is associated with highly productive transformational processes such as assimilation and epenthesis. Morphological creolization is observed through deviations from standard norms in the formation of tense aspects of verbs, the conversion of direct speech into indirect speech, and the omission of prepositions. The article reports that lexical creolization in English-language Nigerian media discourse is linked to frequent borrowings from both European and local languages, as well as the adaptation of idiomatic expressions to local linguistic and cultural contexts. It is asserted that syntactic creolization manifests as inverted word order in sentences.

The relevance of this study on medical social advertising is underscored by its significant societal importance and its crucial role in public health promotion. This article presents the findings of a comparative analysis of discursive strategies and tactics employed in advertising campaigns for the prevention and treatment of oncological diseases, based on polycode texts from campaigns in Russia, China, Australia, the United Kingdom, Israel, Indonesia, and Singapore. It has been demonstrated that the primary strategies in this area of advertising include information dissemination, influencing recipients’ behavioral patterns, creating a specific emotional backdrop, and securing financial contributions. The tactical persuasion techniques encompass both directive demands and indirect means of persuasiveness (visualization, metaphorization, paradoxical statements, and playful tactics). The study concludes that oncological themes in domestic social advertising are perceived as taboo, making the primary objective the formation of an optimistic attitude towards illness. It is noted that foreign advertising campaigns more frequently employ threat tactics, with several projects aimed at combating the stigmatization of cancer patients. The authors also focus on the characteristics of social advertising in China, highlighting its politicization, emphasis on the state’s role in healthcare, promotion of scientific treatment methods for oncological diseases, and the use of concepts such as FAMILY and COLLECTIVE, alongside the taboo surrounding death.

This study examines the characteristics of poetic content in the weekly literary and artistic publication of Russian émigrés in China, the journal “Rubizh” (1926–1945), from a novel structural-functional perspective within the context of paratextual issues as articulated by Gérard Genette and Jean-Michel Tomaso. The material for this research is derived from a rich collection of the “Rubizh” journal housed in the State Archive of the Khabarovsk Territory. A genre-based selection of poetic texts featuring authorial dedications was conducted. The authors analyze the intragenre typology and multifunctionality of these dedications as significant elements of paratext in the works of émigré poets. The content analysis of memorial and dialogical authorial dedications reveals a diverse range of their textual possibilities. It is established that dedications serve, on one hand, as a form of authorial presence and self-expression, and on the other hand, as a variety of intertextuality. A discursive analysis of authorial dedications in the works of émigré poets uncovers the philosophical-aesthetic and spiritual-moral determinants of creative self-expression, aligning with the high demands of the Russian émigré audience for the actualization of values inherent in Russian national spiritual culture and art (literature, visual arts, ballet), highlighting the significant contributions of émigré artists to the formation of the Russian World.

This article examines the concept of MORALITY as presented in B. Pilnyak's novel “The Volga Flows into the Caspian Sea.” It is explored as a world-modeling universality that unfolds in relation to the author's persona, the character system, and the motif paradigm within the narrative. The relevance of this study is underscored by its focus on the linguistic and stylistic expressions of world-modeling universals in literary texts. Employing methods of philological, semantic, linguistic-stylistic, and conceptual analysis, the author investigates the field structure of the concept of MORALITY within the text and arrives at conclusions that reveal its connections to the leitmotifs of life and death, labor, among others. A distinctive status of love is identified within the spectrum of moral concepts in the novel and in the author’s system of life values. The article characterizes lexemes that objectify the poles of the binary semantic opposition “moral — immoral” and related dichotomies. Techniques of analogy, allegory, spatial-temporal plane merging, and repetition are identified and commented upon as they represent the author's “voice” in the text. The continuity of moral values that objectify the concept of MORALITY in both the authorial and national worldview is substantiated through an exploration of the imagery system of the work, particularly focusing on Professor Poletika and his daughter Lyubov.

This study explores the poetic cycle “Spas” (1918) by N. A. Klyuev, which stands as one of the pinnacle works in the poet’s creative evolution, uniquely and ambiguously capturing his religious and philosophical inquiries at the intersection of two eras — before and after the 1917 Revolution. The hypothesis posits that the cyclical narrative can be attributed as a story of soul salvation, embodying the key milestones of Klyuev's spiritual autobiography. It is asserted that the content of each of the eight poems in the cycle is artistically conceptualized through a specific metaphor, correlated with the idea of sacred transformation of the hero-author, while the development of the plot in “Spas” is determined by the sequential change of these metaphors. The study demonstrates that conceptual metaphors, as a crucial element of Klyuev's poetics, shape its imagistic and symbolic structure, rich in biblical allusions and reminiscences, reflecting the religious-ethical experience of the Olonets poet: from the contemplation of divine purpose behind the gift of song (the metaphor “salvation as predestination”) to the perception of the higher meaning of sacrificial Christian love (the metaphor “salvation as self-sacrifice”). It is noted that “Spas,” exhibiting characteristic features of a “Paschal text,” integrates genre traditions of Orthodox hagiography and becomes a subject of authorial reflection in Klyuev's prose from the 1920s.

This article explores the long and complex relationship between the Rul’ [Steering Wheel] newspaper and M. Gorky. The study aims to analyze the publications in the Rul’ that critique Gorky’s work, as well as to identify the stages of change in the relationship between this publication and the writer. The research material consists of a corpus of articles from the Rul’ spanning from 1921 to 1931, along with letters from Maxim Gorky in which he evaluates the newspaper and comments on his stance regarding the emerging controversy between himself and the Rul’. As a result of this investigation, three distinct periods in the relationship between Gorky and the Rul’ have been identified, each characterized by its own specificity based on the dichotomy of aesthetic and political perspectives. It is posited that, on one hand, Gorky's figure served as a necessary antagonistic presence for the newspaper, representing a political dimension of this interaction. On the other hand, the author asserts that the editorial team of the Rul’ implicitly aimed to win over Gorky to their side, particularly evident in the first and partially in the second periods identified in this study. It is noted that despite the tense nature of their relationship, the literary-artistic criticism from the Rul’ generally acknowledged the merits of Gorky's prose.

This study investigates the representation of the motif of the deal with the devil in K. J. Wahlgren's novel “The Personal File of Player Rubashov” (1996). The relevance of this research lies in the opportunity to re-examine Russian classical literature of the 19th century through the lens of a contemporary Swedish author, who embodies a different cultural perspective. The novelty of this work is that it demonstrates, for the first time, how the motif of the deal with the devil unifies disparate elements of the cultural and historical context within a postmodern text. The intertextual analysis draws on works by I. V. Goethe, A. S. Pushkin, N. V. Gogol, M. Yu. Lermontov, F. M. Dostoevsky, and O. de Balzac to interpret Wahlgren's engagement with this motif. It is shown that Wahlgren employs theatrical techniques in the novel, synthesizing high art (tragedy) with low art (comedy). The study emphasizes that the motif of the deal with the devil serves as a catalyst for the plot and a convenient tool for engaging with elements of mythology and folklore within the context of 20th-century postmodernism. The authors argue that the writer posits an idea of humanism: the protagonist, punished with immortality yet maintaining kindness and compassion despite various trials, ultimately finds solace

This study explores the works of contemporary Austrian author Clemens J. Setz (b. 1982). It provides a comprehensive overview of the most significant novels published by the author from 2007 to 2023. The relevance of this research is underscored by the necessity to conceptualize the phenomenon of “Austrian literature” in the early 21st century. It is revealed that, on one hand, Setz continues the traditions of Austrian literature from the second half of the 20th century, while on the other hand, he experiments with narrative organization, employing various narrative strategies. The concept of narrative provocation is introduced as a facet of narrative strategy. Special attention is given to Setz's distinctive authorial style and the unique organization of his narratives. It is demonstrated that narrative provocation shapes the author's intentions, “organizes” the communication between the narrator and the reader, and reveals the peculiarities of Setz's novelistic poetics. The novelty of this research lies in the fact that Setz's oeuvre has not yet been a subject of study in Russian literary scholarship. The methodological foundation of this work is based on studies by both foreign and domestic scholars concerning Austrian literature, as well as the nature of narrative strategy, which encompasses narrative worldview, narrative modality, and narrative intrigue (V. I. Tyupa).

This study examines the activities of the senior inspectorate of the Main Administration for Craft and Consumer Cooperatives (Glavkoop) under the Council of Ministers of the USSR, aimed at identifying and eliminating private entrepreneurship within cooperative enterprises in Bashkortostan from 1946 to 1950. The research is based on previously unpublished documents from the Russian State Archive of Economics. The findings reveal that the operation of cooperative enterprises, devoid of developed market relations and private initiative, was fraught with numerous challenges. It is noted that residents of the republic frequently turned to private entrepreneurs due to the high production costs and low quality of goods produced by craft cooperatives. Furthermore, it was discovered that cooperative organizations often resorted to hiring private accountants and construction brigades. Additionally, private agents were engaged in the procurement of goods from major cities across the Soviet Union for the consumer cooperative system. The study demonstrates that private entrepreneurs played a significant role in the transportation of goods and the export of harvested products from remote areas of the republic. The conclusion drawn is that the struggle against private entrepreneurial activity in Bashkortostan's cooperatives led to the cessation of official contractual relationships with private entrepreneurs and a slight reduction in the shadow economy sector.

This article examines the cholera epidemic of 1892 in the cities of Barnaul and Biysk in Tomsk Province. The study draws on published materials from official statistics, as well as periodicals, publications from public organizations and research societies, and church dioceses, all of which played a significant role alongside medical institutions in combating the epidemic. The aim of this research is to analyze the activities of medical, administrative, and civic organizations in response to the acute need for medical and educational assistance during the epidemic. The results include a comparative analysis of the sanitary conditions and medical-sanitary measures implemented during the cholera outbreak in Barnaul and Biysk. The study identifies the reasons for the ineffectiveness of the epidemiological measures undertaken in Barnaul, which resulted in significantly higher morbidity and mortality rates compared to provincial averages. It emphasizes that this ineffectiveness stemmed from a critical combination of adverse factors: a surge of migrants, poor sanitary conditions, and low levels of medical care accessibility for the population. Furthermore, it is demonstrated that the analysis of the outcomes of the fight against the epidemic subsequently laid the groundwork for enhancing medical assistance and improving its availability to broader segments of society.

This study aims to explore the distinctive features of how Russian events were portrayed in the German press of the late 19th century, focusing on publications concerning the crash of the imperial train near the Borki station in October 1888. It examines the influence of established images and stereotypes on the interpretation of information coming from Russia as presented in German newspapers. The primary sources include influential daily newspapers that significantly shaped public opinion in Germany. The findings suggest that, despite having access to accurate and detailed factual information about the imperial train crash in the Russian Empire, the German press interpreted these events through the lens of prevailing stereotypes: (1) the image of Alexander III as a noble yet reserved and distrustful individual; (2) the notion of a powerful pan-Slavic “war party” within the elite and society of the Russian Empire, countered by a peace-loving emperor; (3) perceptions of widespread corruption, deception, and incompetence among officials across all branches of government; and (4) the portrayal of Baltic Germans as the most loyal, honest, industrious, and professional subjects of the Russian emperor, whose removal from the administrative elite could lead to disastrous consequences for the state. It is noted that the evolving image of Russia in Germany had a significant impact on the development of Russian-German relations at the end of the 19th century.

This article explores the interpretations of the transcriptions of Alan names found in the “History of Yuan.” The aim of the study is to critically analyze the etymological reconstructions of this Alan anthroponymy as presented in scholarly tradition, as well as to generalize and systematize these findings. The phonological system of the Chinese language differs significantly from those of other languages, which hinders the full application of comparative linguistic methods for analyzing much of the onomasticon under consideration. However, diverse sources containing information about ancient, medieval, and modern onomastics, alongside the “History of Yuan,” provided material for this research, allowing for etymological reconstructions and comparisons for most of the analyzed anthroponymic transcriptions. As a result, it was established that 23 out of 38 presented reconstructions are linked to the Alan cultural tradition. The overarching conclusion drawn is that the Alans, who remained at the Mongolian and Yuan courts for one hundred thirty years, preserved their ethnic identity, part of which included their adherence to Christianity. Furthermore, it is noted that the presence of Turkic, Mongolian, and possibly Chinese names in their onomasticon indicates the beginning of Alan assimilation and the influence of Chinese culture on their worldview.

This study examines the representation of the opening of the Second Front in the British regional press, focusing on an analysis of 20 newspaper issues. The research draws upon editions of the Western Mail from June 1944, introducing this previously untranslated source into the scholarly discourse. A review of front-page articles highlights key events such as the D-Day landings, the advance of Allied forces in France, and the assault on Rome. The analysis reveals a shift in the regional pressэs emphasis, transitioning from celebratory and triumphant narratives to expressions of dissatisfaction. Notably, while the Western Mail consistently covered developments on the Western Front, it devoted only a single article to the Eastern Front. The findings indicate that through its publications, the British readership developed a perception prioritizing the Western Front in the fight against Nazi Germany, emphasizing the significance of battles in France and Italy over the liberation of the USSR and Eastern Europe. This trend contributes to the construction of a myth surrounding the Anglo-American victory over Germany. The authors argue that such coverage patterns in periodicals serve as a foundation for distorting historical truth.

This article analyzes the insurance activities of the Rural district councils (zemstvos) in St. Petersburg Province concerning the organization of voluntary livestock insurance during the last quarter of the 19th century. Utilizing archival data, administrative documentation, and journalistic publications as sources, the study highlights that the introduction of voluntary livestock insurance was driven by the necessity to enhance veterinary and sanitary oversight to prevent large-scale outbreaks of epizootics within the province. It emphasizes that livestock insurance aimed to compensate the population for losses incurred due to animal deaths. Starting in 1886, cattle were accepted for voluntary insurance based on standard and special valuations for specific breeds. The article presents key statistical data on livestock insurance outcomes across major cities and districts of the province from 1886 to 1892. The author concludes that voluntary zemstvo insurance primarily represented an attempt to mitigate the spread of dangerous epizootics in the province and served as a means to develop veterinary and sanitary support for the region. It is noted that the unprofitable results of the initial decade of zemstvo insurance activities led to the necessity of seeking new solutions, including the introduction of mandatory insurance. The article also points out that the losses incurred by the insurance system were attributed to the lack of mass livestock farming and large-scale agricultural enterprises in the province.

This study examines the role of the nobility within the local governance system of Kazan Province during the late 19th century, an important aspect of pre-revolutionary Russian statehood. A historiographical review reveals a sustained scholarly interest in the history of noble civil service, particularly at the regional level. However, there is a notable absence of specialized works focusing on the history of Kazan’s nobility within provincial and district governmental institutions, which underscores the academic significance of this article. The chronological scope of the research spans from 1861, when new administrative bodies were established to implement reforms in the early 1860s, to the adoption of the new “Provincial Statute” (1890) and “Municipal Statute” (1892). The author illustrates the formation of a bureaucratic apparatus composed of hereditary nobles from Kazan Province in the context of changing government policies during the reigns of two emperors — Alexander II and subsequently Alexander III. Based on an analysis of materials from memorial books, address calendars, and official lists of civil servants, it is concluded that hereditary nobles held key positions within the local bureaucratic apparatus of civil and judicial authorities and predominated in district administration.

This article explores the history of the establishment and operation of craft classes, and subsequently a vocational school, at the Municipal Public Institution named after the Blinov and Bugrov Widow's Home in Nizhny Novgorod during the early 20th century. It details the history of the construction of the building designated for craft departments, outlines the sources of funding, and examines the composition and roles of staff in the women’s needlework and men’s shoemaking classes. The study characterizes the curriculum followed by students, as well as the age and social composition of both girls and boys. It describes the materials and educational resources acquired for instruction, the volume of products produced, and the maintenance of the building housing the craft classes. The article notes that upon completion of their studies, graduates from the needlework class had opportunities to work in a women's sewing workshop organized within the Widow's Home. The author concludes that the trustees of this charitable institution, in collaboration with local government bodies, aimed to provide comprehensive support to their wards, identifying and nurturing their talents. The functioning of the craft classes is reconstructed based on reports from the Widow's Home regarding its activities and a report on the construction of a new two-story building intended for the vocational school and dormitory.

This article examines the organization and activities of volunteer assault units in the Rostov region during the Great Patriotic War. It discusses the regulatory framework for their establishment, the specifics of their formation and staffing, levels of armament and equipment provision, as well as material, technical, and financial support. A number of archival documents are introduced into scholarly discourse. The source base includes both published regional collections of documents and archival materials identified by the author. The distinctions between militia units and other volunteer structures are highlighted, noting their differing chains of command. It is reported that immediately following the outbreak of war, in accordance with decisions made by the Soviet government, the party and Soviet leadership in the Rostov region swiftly initiated extensive efforts to form assault battalions across all cities and districts of the area. The article demonstrates that a significant number of these units were established in a remarkably short timeframe, with necessary personnel for both rank-and-file and command positions, as well as armament and equipment provided. The critical role of these assault units in maintaining public order, safeguarding vital industrial and transportation infrastructure in the frontline zone, and participating in defensive battles during the autumn of 1941 and summer of 1942 in the Rostov region is emphasized. It is noted that while the personnel of these units were not trained for direct combat on the front lines, they provided invaluable assistance in the initial phase of the war.