Annotation

The article examines the constitutional and legal foundations of the state policy of the Russian Federation with regard to compatriots residing outside its territory. The evolution of legal regulation in this field is analyzed, ranging from constitutional provisions and subordinate regulatory acts of the 1990s to contemporary federal legislation and state programs. Particular attention is paid to the mechanisms for protecting the rights of compatriots, preserving the all-Russian cultural identity, as well as to the role of repatriation in the context of contemporary geopolitical transformation.