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The article analyzes the Russian citizens' perceptions of BRICS countries. The authors focus on the cognitive, emotional, behavioral, and symbolic aspects characterizing BRICS countries in political consciousness of the Russians as well as common stereotypes, intentions, and associations. Since the Russian Federation has political and economic interests in cooperation with the BRICS countries, it is important to study representations of Brazil, India, China and South Africa in Russian consciousness and identify the possibilities of their transformation. Proceeding from the results of qualitative politico-sociological (a series of focused interviews) and politico-psychological (projective tests) studies held in 2016-2018 the authors conclude that the emotional component prevails in the structure of Russian citizens' perception about of Brazil, India, China and South Africa. The image of China appears to be the most complicated and multidimensional, with the key elements being the "thousand-year history", the "great culture" and the recognition of the geopolitical power of this state. The images of India and Brazil among the Russians have a significantly more amorphous character, but at the same time hold a moderately positive emotional connotation. The image of South Africa is the most fragmented, devoid of stable emotional valence and bright associations. It is remarkable that the perception of the BRICS countries by the majority of respondents is primarily influenced by implicit factors which manifest in appeal to stereotypes and associations (India – cinema, Brazil – football, etc.). Dynamic factors, determined by political agenda, play a minor role forming the images of the BRICS countries. A noticeable feature of their representation among the Russians is the blurring of the "image of due" and "image of the future", as well as the minimal role of the political component (with exception of China). Therefore, it is necessary to change the information policy for the countries studied. In order to enhance the understanding of significance and relevance of cooperation with the BRICS states among the Russian citizens, it seems to be necessary 1) to build a positive image of political relations with them; 2) to cement an image of a "partner" and an "ally" in mass media, both on a rational and an unconscious level of political perception.

The study's empirical basis is derived from materials gathered through a survey of Russian youth aged 14 to 30 years (the total sample size is 2,500 individuals). The results of the study show that modern Russian youth consider the historically typical values of Russian society important and, at the same time, fill them with new meanings. The value of freedom is the core of the political consciousness of Russian youth and is universal in nature. Generational differences in the understanding of the value of freedom have been identified: the main associations with the value of freedom are categories such as "independence", "security", and "will, liberty". Simultaneously, the understanding of freedom as security is much less common among schoolchildren than among older youth. The idea of freedom as will and liberty is more common among 14-17 year olds than among older respondents, for whom freedom often has a value in itself. During the study, it was noted that along with a desire for autonomy and personal freedom, respondents also expressed paternalistic orientations. Young people see the state as the subject that should implement their values and meet their needs. This characteristic is particularly pronounced among the youngest cohort.