Problems and perspectives for engaging citizens and their associations in ensuring the defense and security of the Russian Federation

The subject of this research is the problematic issues and promising areas of involving citizens and their associations in ensuring the defense and security of the Russian Federation in the context of modern needs and challenges. The object of the study is public relations arising from the participation of citizens, both individually and as part of non-profit organizations, in ensuring the country's defense and state security, caused by the observed threats to the national security of the Russian Federation and the potential consequences of a special military operation. The aim of the work is to identify problems in the legal regulation of the participation of citizens and their associations in ensuring the defense and security of the Russian Federation and to find ways to solve them, proposing amendments to the current legislation. The article applies general and specific methods of cognition: systems, logical, sociological, formal-legal methods, methods of synergetics, comparative and interpretation of legal norms. The author adheres to the need to maintain a balance between private and public interests in the legal relations under study. The author proceeds from the assumption that excessive government intervention in the activities of civil society institutions will neutralize their essence and purpose. At the same time, without government support, such activities will not be effective. The author concludes that the performance of various state functions may vary depending on the specifics of the non-profit organization's activities, its organizational, informational, material, and other resources, the number of citizens comprising it, and their legal status. The choice of the form of participation (assistance, cooperation, interaction) should remain with the institution of civil society. Such specifics inevitably necessitate a discussion of various options for the conditions for performing the state function (its scope, timing, methods, and means of execution). Therefore, legislative norms may outline the contours of the legal regulation of such legal relations, but not detailed rules. Therefore, methodological recommendations are required for public authorities authorized to engage citizens and their associations in such participation. The article explores the problems of legal regulation, and proposes incentive legal measures applicable to active citizens and patriotically oriented non-profit organizations. Proposals are presented for amendments to tax legislation, legislation on volunteerism, patriotic education, and the civil service of the Russian Cossacks.