Import substitution strategy in the economic policy of Russian regions: historical modern approach

The article analyses the import substitution policy of Russia in different historical periods. The research compares industrialisation and neoindustrialisation as typical models of economic policy in the USSR and modern Russia. Authors use a historical-comparative approach to identify the characteristic features of the economic policies. According to them, Soviet methods are inappropriate in the modern economy due to fundamental changes in socio-economic conditions and the technological landscape. Moreover, nowadays the intensive development based on the introduction of innovations and increased labour productivity replaces the extensive production growth of the past. However, successful import substitution in modern Russia requires imported products replacement and competitive domestic analogues production. The paper highlights the relevance of active government support for innovation, stimulating industrial cooperation, and introducing of effective consumers feedback mechanisms. The analysis of regional experience, in particular, of the Yaroslavl region, demonstrates significant differentiation in the degree of import dependence and the structure of economies. It provides the development of regional import substitution strategies. Therefore, the active introduction of high-tech technologies and artificial intelligence will increase the competitiveness of Russian industry and ensure its technological sovereignty. Hence, integrated approach combining government support, innovation, and adaptation to regional specifics helps implement the import substitution strategy in the Russian Federation.