SOCIO-ECONOMIC FEATURES OF THE NORTHERN SEGMENT OF THE RUSSIAN-KAZAKH BORDER AREA

The article examines the features of socio-economic differentiation of the northern segment of the Russian-Kazakh borderland under transformation processes in 2020-2025. The purpose of the study is to identify the factors of spatial socio-economic asymmetry of border territories using the example of Chelyabinsk and Kostanay regions. The paper substantiates the limitations of classical approaches to socio-economic zoning in analyzing modern border processes and emphasizes the relevance of dynamic comparative analysis of key development indicators. The methodological framework of the study is based on comparative analysis, statistical data processing, and spatial analysis. The information base includes official statistical data of Russia and the Republic of Kazakhstan for 2020-2024. The results indicate that the northern segment of the Russian-Kazakh borderland demonstrates a more balanced socio-economic development compared to other segments of the transboundary space, which allows it to be considered as a potential stabilizing element of cross-border interaction.