Accessibility of education in the context of digital inequality in the regions of the Russian Federation

Subject. The article investigates the mutual impact of digital inequality and electronic (online) education. Objectives. The study focuses on the analysis of digital inequality of federal districts of the Russian Federation and its impact on access to education. Methods. The study rests on general scientific research methods. Results. The paper clarifies the conceptual and categorical framework of digital inequality and its relation to the concept of "electronic education", emphasizes the importance of e-education for improving the overall level of development and well-being of the population, assesses digital development of regions by three levels of digital inequality. We identified regions that need government programs to bridge the digital divide at different levels. The Southern and Ural Federal Districts are the leading ones in terms of digital security and competencies. The North Caucasus Federal District needs to increase the level of digitalization in the field of infrastructure, and improve the digital literacy of the population. Conclusions. Digital inequality remains a global problem that leads to inequality of educational opportunities and deepens the gap in the socio-economic development of regions.