Telegram as an Inter-Elite Communication Channel in Russian Regions

This study focuses on the phenomenon of anonymous political telegram channels in Russian regions. Despite their prevalence, the study of this phenomenon is still represented by a very limited number of works. Within this work, the author conducted a detailed analysis of the socio-political telegram channels of two regions of Russia: Orenburg and Saratov regions during the preparation for major election campaigns of the electoral season. Thus, the socio-political telegram channels were analyzed over a period of two months, their classification and typology were carried out, as well as the identification of the most common political actors and other representatives of the elite in the communication system of telegram channels. Similarities and differences are found in the two information spaces of the two regions, where all types of election campaigns are held simultaneously: federal, regional and municipal. The proposed method of analyzing anonymous political telegram channels can become not only a basis for future research, but also be useful for representatives of applied political professions.