THE FORMATION AND DEVELOPMENT OF THE DIGITAL EDUCATIONAL LANDSCAPE IN THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION: HISTORICAL PHASES AND PROSPECTS

Abstract

This article examines the evolution and current trends of online education in the Russian Federation from the early 2000s to 2025. Using historical analysis, it traces the transition from experimental distance learning initiatives to integrated digital ecosystems. The study identifies four development phases: the experimental 2000s, the institutional 2010s, accelerated development during the pandemic (2020-2022), and the post-pandemic consolidation period. Using a combined methodology and secondary data analysis, the author examines national and regional practices. The results demonstrate a polycentric organization of the digital educational space with characteristic features: dynamic market growth, the spread of hybrid formats, the introduction of modular microqualification systems, and distinct regional specificities. Inevitable challenges include overcoming the digital divide, the need for systematic training of teaching staff, and the improvement of quality control mechanisms. The article concludes that the prospects for the development of online learning in Russia are linked to an optimal combination of centralized management and regional adaptation, the integration of artificial intelligence and analytical systems into teaching practices, and the development of digital literacy as a basis for sustainable development