Virtual representations of the Northern Caucasus peoples in terms of degree of their loyalty to Russia

The article is devoted to the representations of Northern Caucasus ethnical communities in social network "VKontakte" in terms of their connection with Russia. This aspect of cross-cultural communications is expressed in a loyalty index, which represents degree of ethnical integration into Russian state. The base of this index consist of two factors: heroes and memorial dates stipulating relationship with Russia – from celebration of integration to sorrow about Russian victory in the Russo-Caucasian War. 15 Northern Caucasus peoples are investigated altogether through their virtual representations in 30 Internet-communities. Some peoples in virtual representations turn out to have a more general ethnonym and general self-consciousness: Circassians and Kabardians represent themselves as Adyghe; Karachays and Balkars represent themselves as the Alanla. In Northern Caucasus, higher degrees of loyalty are demonstrated by the virtual representations of the Alanla, the Ingush people, the Ossetians and the Lak people. Lower degrees of loyalty are expressed in conjunction with the commemoration of anti-Russian resistance leaders during Russo-Caucasians War, the most important of which is Imam Shamil. The factors which make loyalty higher are commemorations of the Russian Imperial Army officers of local ethinc descent, heroes of the Great Patriotic War and prominent Soviet activists. Examples of them are general Tonta Ukurov, sniper Abdulla Seferberov, pilot Yusup Akaev and astronaut Musa Manarov.