DEVELOPMENT OF THE DIGITAL ECONOMY IN THE REGIONS OF RUSSIA: PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS

The digital economy is a systemic factor in transforming economic space, production models, and social infrastructure. In the Russian Federation, digitalization takes the form of an uneven regional process, depending on institutional conditions, infrastructure development, human capital, and local digital transformation policies. This study aims to identify spatial disparities in the development of the digital economy across Russian regions, analyze institutional constraints, and determine promising directions for digital transformation. Special attention is paid to the role of infrastructure and personnel, as well as to the generalization of best digitalization practices among Russian regions. The findings help identify structural and management mechanisms for bridging the regional digital divide.