Organizational and Legal Aspects of the Soviet Border Guard Functioning in the Arctic Region (1918–1941)

The study of legal foundations of border protection in the Arctic during 1918-1941 gains relevance in light of contemporary security challenges facing Russia's northern borders. The article examines the evolution of the regulatory framework for border formations in the Far North and the institutional development features of the protection system in the Arctic region. Legal acts defining the functions of border authorities in asserting USSR sovereignty in the Arctic and the specifics of their interaction with other state security structures are analyzed. Key developmental periods of the system are identified: from isolated posts in the early Soviet era to a multi-level organizational structure on the eve of war with Germany, reflecting the increasing strategic importance of polar territories in ensuring the Soviet state's security.