Voronov Viktor Aleksandrovich

The article presents the results of comprehensive scientific research on the impact of a Special Military Operation (SMO) on society and living conditions in the border region. The launch of a Special Military Operation by Russia in February 2022 resulted in transformation in Russia's regions bordering Ukraine, especially Belgorod Oblast, which has the longest border and very specific geographical location. Several SMO-related factors, ranging from socio-cultural to military-political, have contributed to transformations in the border region's society. The study noted a sharp increase in social anxiety in border regions caused by a principally different level of military-terrorist threats compared to «internal» regions. There is a certain dissonance in the public consciousness because the border regions have long been balancing between emergency and normality in their everyday lives. In such a situation, civilians want to preserve their habitual lifestyle but experience constant stress due to the expectation of various excesses on the part of Ukraine.