Aim. To analyze the cases of social protests of 2017–2020, that could be regarded as the latest generation of the “colour revolution” attempts, in order to define the specifics of new technologies of managing socio-political protests – technologies based upon the potential of digital integrated communications that provide for wider potential to control public attitudes.

Methodology. Russian and foreign scholars’ research of the networks-based communication systems, information wars and political manipulations serve as the theoretical and methodological basis of the article. The article uses the classic methodologic approach of Russian political and social science but with the special focus on growing socio-engineering capabilities of the manipulation technologies.

Results. It is shown that the capabilities of present day manipulation technologies to preserve protest stability are limited. The key problem of information manipulations is the quality and persuasiveness of the transmitted content.

Research implications. The article could be used as a theoretical base for elaboration of methods of countering destructive social technologies.

socio-political protests, informational manipulations, propaganda, informational influence, fakes, protests guidance

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