scholarly journals “A JOURNEY TO ARMENIA, TURKEY AND CILICIA” BY THE BISHOP VARDAN ODZNETSI AS AN IMPORTANT SOURCE ON THE HISTORY OF THE CAUCASUS OF THE XVIII–XIX CENTURIES

2020 ◽  
Vol 16 (1) ◽  
pp. 76-84
Author(s):  
Shakhban M. Khapizov ◽  
Hayk E. Hakobyan
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
South Caucasus ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
The North ◽  
History Of ◽  
Military Campaigns ◽  
The Russian Empire ◽  
The 19Th Century ◽  
The Military

The paper analyses the content of some of the parts of the work of the Armenian author of the 19th century bishop Vardan Odznetsi, kept in Matenadaran – the Institute of Ancient Manuscripts of Armenia. The full text of the work has not yet been published. The text is unique, as it is one of the last sources, written in the style of the Armenian historical literature of the Middle Ages. In his work, Vardan Odznetsi tells in detail about the court of the Georgian king Heraclius II (1720–1798). It also provides information about the Talysh Khan Mustafa and the Avar Nutsal Ummah Khan, known in historiography under the distorted name of Omar Khan. Thus, the chronicle of Odznetsi covers the history of not only Transcaucasia, but also the North Caucasus. In addition, the author describes in sufficient detail the events of the Crimean War (1853–1856). The information, provided by Vardan Odznetsi, is quite important in the context of studies devoted to the anti-Ottoman and anti-Iranian wars of the peoples of the Caucasus. In his work, a special attention is drawn to the scrupulous description of the invasion of Tbilisi in the summer of 1795 by the Iranian shah Aga-Muhammad Khan Kajar. With deep regret he tells about the destruction of the city, believing that this is the fault of the Georgian king, who showed political shortsightedness. In the 1790s Avar nutsal Ummah Khan (1761-1801) started to play an important role in the military-political events taking place in the South Caucasus, which is also mentioned in the work under review. He describes the relations of Umma Khan and his son-in-law Ibrahim-khan of Karabakh, their joint military campaigns on adjacent lands. At the same time, the work under study is an important source describing the transition of the kingdom of Kartli-Kakheti, and subsequently the entire Caucasus, under the protection of the Russian Empire. A study of this manuscript will serve as a more detailed source-study of the history of the Caucasus of the 18th – 19th centuries.

scholarly journals Historical and geographical analysis of the Cronicle of Remmal Khodja “Tarih-i Sahib Giray Khan”

2021 ◽  
pp. 95-117
Author(s):  
Maxim E. Shalak ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Historical Geography ◽  
French Translation ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
The West ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Caucasus Region ◽  
The North ◽  
History Of ◽  
Military Campaigns ◽  
The Military

This article is devoted to the analysis of the historical work of the famous Ottoman scholar Muhammad Nidai Kaisuni-zade, well known as Remmal Khodja, his work “Tarih-i Sahib Giray Khan”, which was written in the middle of the XVI century. This source, is dedicated to the history of the reign of Khan Sahib Giray (1532–1551), it will be studied here for the purpose of revealing information on the historical geography of the Crimean Khanate and adjacent territories. The beginning of this analysis was published in № 2, 2018 of this journal. In his chronicle Remmal Khodja describes nine military campaigns of Sahib Giray. He describes in details the routes of movement of the Tatar troops, gives the places of crossings and location sites of the troops. Very valuable are the characteristics given by the court historian to the opponents of the khan and descriptions of the terrain on which the fighting was conducted. From the above I mentioned information, it may seem, that Remmal Khodja described the events as if he was its direct witness. In all the military campaigns of Sahib Giray, described by Remmal Khodja, can be traced four directions of those campaigns. To the west – to Moldavia, to the north – to Russia and Lithuania, to the east – to the Astrakhan Khanate, and south-east – to the Caucasus. Of all the directions, the North Caucasus region is described in more detailed way in the source, since Sahib Giray made four campaigns to this territory. The revealed information gives us the chance to clarify the boundaries of the Crimean Khanate, the lands that were in its vassal dependence, the location of sites and fortresses, as well as the areas of residence of some North Caucasian tribes. The only publication of “Tarih-i Sahib Giray Khan” was implemented in 1973 by O. Gökbilgin. The scientist published a Chronicle in the modern Turkish transcription, providing it with a French translation.

The Caucasus in the History of Russia

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Igor' Bocharnikov
Keyword(s):  
North Caucasus ◽  
South Caucasus ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Political Processes ◽  
Caucasus Region ◽  
The North ◽  
Wide Range ◽  
History Of ◽  
Free Development ◽  
Modern Experience

The monograph defines the origins, essence and content of the Caucasian policy of Russia, its main stages, its significance for the development of Russian statehood and the peoples of the region. The monograph pays special attention to the Caucasian wars of Russia, the experience of suppressing anti-Russian and anti-Soviet armed demonstrations in the region. The historical and modern experience of the development of the Caucasus region shows that the weakening of Russia's position in the region naturally leads to an escalation of tension and conflict, aggravation of inter-ethnic contradictions, manifestations of extremism and other forms of destructive activities that threaten the life of citizens and peoples of the Caucasus. As a result, the strength of Russia's position in the Caucasus is a guarantee of the safe and free development of the peoples of the region. The author's conclusions and suggestions presented in the monograph can be used in the process of implementing a balanced and verified policy in order to ensure the national security and interests of the Russian Federation in the North Caucasus, building relations with neighboring states in the region, as well as other international actors positioning their involvement in the political processes of the South Caucasus. It is addressed to researchers, teachers, students, a wide range of readers.

scholarly journals TRIP OF ALEXANDER III TO THE CAUCASUS AS A NEW MILESTONE IN THE INTEGRATION OF MOUNTAIN PEOPLE IN THE RUSSIAN EMPIRE

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (4) ◽  
pp. 159-185
Author(s):  
H.M. Bekulov ◽  
◽  
I.B. Bekulova ◽  
Keyword(s):  
World War I ◽  
Population Based ◽  
Parochial Schools ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
The North ◽  
Military Administration ◽  
Representative Office ◽  
The Russian Empire ◽  
The Military

The authors made an attempt to complete the colorful characteristic of an Emperor Alexander III in his desire to form a common ideological and economic space on the platform of strengthening the position of Christianity in the Caucasus. The authors supplement the well-known narration of V. A. Potto about the visit to the North Caucasus and Transcaucasia in 1888by Emperor Alexander III, the specific materials from local archives and available sources are provided. The article highlights the activities of the military administration of the Nalchik district to organize a meeting of the Emperor at the station Prokhladnaya and in Vladikavkaz in accordance with the instructions of the head of the Terek region. Extensive material is presented about quotas for the number of delegates to the representative office, the procedure of forming a team, and the financing of expenses related to the meeting procedure. The author focuses on the phenomenon of transformation of the consciousness of the inhabitants of the Caucasus, including people who fought with Russia, under the influence of the socio-economic policy of the autocracy, the centralization of local government institutions. According to the authors, during The Emperor's visit to the Caucasus in 1888, a new phase was laid in the formation of Russian patriotism among the native population based on impressions at meetings and audiences with the Emperor. As the following events in the Russian-Japanese and World War I showed, most students in real, parochial schools demonstrated exceptional bravery and loyalty to the oath to The Russian Emperor. The article states the great interest of the Emperor in the Christian faith, and his spiritual and material support for the brotherhood of St. Nicholas Trinity in South Ossetia. Examples are given about the firmness of thanksgiving for faithful service to the Fatherland, about the priority in this issue of taking into account the reaction «to the mass, especially among Muslims».

About military-political history of Vainakh people in Ancient Times and Middle Ages

2021 ◽  
Vol 65 (04) ◽  
pp. 32-69
Author(s):  
Ярослав Валентинович Пилипчук ◽  
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
Political History ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
The South ◽  
South Caucasus ◽  
Xviii Century ◽  
Xvii Century ◽  
The North ◽  
History Of ◽  
Ancient Times

This paper is dedicated to the reconstruction of ethnic and political history of the Nakhs in the Ancient Times, Middle Ages and Early Modern Times. Several Nakh tribes were known mainly to Georgians and Armenians. Nakhs were the main population of Georgia until the 4th century BC. The formation of the Iberian kingdom (Kartli) was closely connected with the interaction of the Kartvelian peoples with the nakhs of the South Caucasus, which appeared in Georgian sources under the name Durdzuks. The Nakhs were confronted with Scythians, Sarmatians, Alans n the North Caucasus. Therefore, Nakhs were better known in the South Caucasus. The most notable of the Durdzuk cluster was the tribe of the Tsanars. During the VIII-IX centuries Tsanars actively resisted the Arabs. The Tsanar chorebishop was one of the titles of the king of Kakheti and they actively participated in the Kakheti wars with the Abkhaz, Kartli, and Tao-Klardzhet kings. The final Kartvelization of the tsanars dates back to the XI century. Tushins, Pshavs, Khevsurs were kartvelized in the end of the XII century. Only the Batsbians retained the Nakh identity. Ethnonym Dzurzuk from the XIII century ceased to denote the Nakh population of the South Caucasus, which began to be designated by Kistins and Batsbians. Durdzuks from the XIII century these are the nakhs of the North Caucasus. The North Caucasian nakhs were ruled by the Alan kings in the XI-XIII centuries. Mongol invasion in XIII century weakened the power of the Alans over the North Caucasus. The territory of Chechnya united the Nakh state of Simsim in the middle of the XIV century, which at the end of the XIV century attacked by the Chagatays of Timur. Establish Georgian power over the highlanders in the middle of the fourteenth century. And in the 30s. XVII century Georgian kings Giorgi V and Teymuraz tried. Their real power was only over Georgian highlanders (Pshavs, Khevsurs, Tushins) and Batsbians. Kabardinians made a big campaign against the Nakhs in the middle of the XVI century. Temruk Idarov during the campaign of 1563 used the help of Nogays and Russians. Kabardinians entered the Sunzha region and drove the Ingush into the mountains. In the mountains was the possession of the Ingush Lars. The first of the Chechens to contact the Russians were the rulers of Aukh (Okoks of Russian sources). Some part of the Okoks in the XVII century evicted from Aukh on a plane to the area of Terek and Sunzha. The population of the Chechen possession obeyed the princes Turlovs from Gumbet. The people of Nokhch-Mokkh often opposed the Russians in the XVII century. There are some reasons to believe that they depended on the Kumyk rulers of the Andirean beilik. Avars and Kumyks also contributed to the penetration of Islam to the Chechens. Shibutians (Shatoys) and Chantiyans actively contacted Russians. Russian influence until the middle of the XVIII century it was rather nominal and was manifested in the presence of Cossacks and Streltsy on the Terek and Sunzha and in the exchange of embassies with Georgia. Not a single regional state such as the Safavid state or the Crimean Khanate has succeeded in establishing its power in the Central Caucasus. Chechens used vassality from the Russians as a counterweight to the influence of the Crimean Khanate and the Afshar state in the first half of the XVIII century, but this did not interfere with their situational alliances with the Kumyks and Crimean Tatars against the Russians. Chechens actively supported Islamic fanatics. Strengthening Russian power in the North Caucasus in the second half of the XVIII century led to the fact that the Ingush took Russian citizenship. There have been social changes in Chechnya. Societies drove out their princes. In this situation, the Chechens and other peoples of the Caucasus made an attempt to unite Sheikh Mansur. An attempt to unite Chechnya was also undertaken in the XIX century by Beibulat Taimiev. Key words: Vainakhs, Durdzuki, Chechens, Ingushes, Chechen domain, Georgia, Minor Kabarda, free societies

Migration History of Iranians in the North Caucasus

2021 ◽  
pp. 49-56
Author(s):  
Zalina T. Plieva
Keyword(s):  
19Th Century ◽  
Russian Empire ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
Revolutionary Movement ◽  
The North ◽  
Mass Migration ◽  
Migration History ◽  
History Of ◽  
The Russian Empire ◽  
The 19Th Century

The article is devoted to the study of the phenomenon of mass migration of the Persian population to the Russian Empire in the 19th-early 20th centuries, its North Caucasian features. Iranians who migrated to Russia, at the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries. constituted an important part of the entire society in the North Caucasus. They participated in the development of industry and business life, in the revolutionary movement, preserving their own community, and interacted with Russian realities. The article analyzes the stages and characteristic features of the migration of the Persian population to the North Caucasus in the 19th century. after the conclusion of international treaties between Russia and Persia (Gulistan 1813, Turkmanchay 1828, Convention on the movement of subjects of both states in 1844). Taking into account the general determinants of migration, for the first time, the existing explanations for the emergence of migrant workers from Persia to the South of the Russian Empire in the English-language literature have been investigated. The origin of labor and social migration in Iran in the 19th century, its orientation towards the Caucasus and its broad consequences are considered in connection with social factors that arose under the influence of political events in Iran, which determined the historical conjuncture. In the study of the characteristics of the Persian resettlement and long-term residence in the settlements of the North Caucasus, the starting points, routes and accommodation of Iranian migrants in the Terek region are of great importance. The Terek region got into the migration history of Iranians as a result of the migration policy of Russia, its geographical location and the peculiarities of the developing economy, which provided more favorable and sparing working conditions. about a large number of Iranians who received passports at the consulates in Urmia and Tabriz. Unlike other movements of the Iranian population in the 19th century, the migration of Persians to Russia at the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries had its own differences: it was characterized by regularity, the involvement of a significant number of people of different ages and genders, and was mainly caused by economic reasons. Developing trade relations, economic decline in Persia became the reasons for the ever-increasing migration of the Persians to the Russian borders.

scholarly journals Activities of Military Topographers in Western Siberia in Foreign and Domestic Policy of the Russian Empire in 19th Century

2020 ◽  
pp. 360-374
Author(s):  
Evgeny V. Igumnov
Keyword(s):  
Western Siberia ◽  
Russian Empire ◽  
The State ◽  
River Channels ◽  
The North ◽  
Literary Sources ◽  
The Russian Empire ◽  
The 19Th Century ◽  
The Military

The activities of military topographers in Western Siberia to provide cartographic information on the foreign and domestic policies of the Russian Empire in Central Asia and Siberia in the 19th century are considered in the article. The role of information in the formation of the Russian Empire is emphasized. The contribution of the state to the organization of the study of the Asian regions of Russia and neighboring countries is noted. The establishment of the military topographic service in Western Siberia can be traced taking into account data on administrative transformations in the Siberian region, and on changes in the foreign policy of the Russian Empire. The participation of military topographers in determining and designating the state border with China is described in detail. The question of the role of military topographers in the scientific study of China and Mongolia is raised. The significance of the activities of military topographers for the policy of the Russian Empire on the socio-economic development of Siberia and the north-eastern part of the territory of modern Kazakhstan is revealed. The contribution of topographers to the construction of the Trans-Siberian railway, the design of river channels and new land routes is revealed. A large amount of literary sources, materials on the work of military topographers of Western Siberia, published in “Notes of the Military Topographic Department of the General Staff” is used in the article.

scholarly journals FROM THE HISTORY OF THE OPENING OF VLADIKAVKAZ RAILWAY

Kavkaz-forum ◽  
2021 ◽  
pp. 82-90
Author(s):  
Ф.С. Киреев
Keyword(s):  
Educational Institutions ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
Railway Network ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
The Public ◽  
The Road ◽  
The North ◽  
Huge Impact ◽  
History Of ◽  
Privately Owned

В статье анализируются причины строительства Владикавказской железной дороги и механизм сооружения этой важной железнодорожной артерии. Актуальность темы анализа истории развития железнодорожной сети Северо-Кавказского региона определяется необходимостью подробного изучения проблем ее социально-экономического развития. Строительство Ростово-Владикавказской железной дороги также является примером государственно-частного сотрудничества, которое хорошо себя оправдало. Дорога была построена полностью за счет средств акционеров, среди которых были как крупные промышленники, так и простые обыватели. Находясь в частной собственности, Владикавказская железная дорога хорошо функционировала и развивалась. При этом государство получило важную транспортную артерию, имевшую большое экономическое и военно-стратегическое значение. Немаловажным было и то, что за счет Владикавказской железной дороги был построен ряд социальных объектов – больницы, учебные заведения. В статье также показана заинтересованность общественности Владикавказа и региона в целом в строительстве железной дороги. Различные варианты прокладки пути, строительства станций широко обсуждались как специалистами, так и простыми горожанами. В итоге был выбран наиболее оптимальный путь и месторасположения станции Владикавказ. В свое время, благодаря открытию Владикавказской железной дороги, был дан заметный импульс дальнейшему развитию торговли и промышленности на Северном Кавказе. Последующее расширение транспортных артерий уже в наши дни может существенно оживить экономику Кавказа и России в целом, а также внести свой вклад в деле развития туризма в регионе. В связи с этим и необходимо анализировать историю строительства Владикавказской железной дороги и перенимать лучший опыт прошлого. The article analyzes the reasons for constructing Vladikavkaz railway and the mechanism of constructing this important railway artery. The topic relevance of studying the history of the railway network in the North Caucasus is determined by the necessity for further problem research of its socio-economic development. In its time Vladikavkaz railway had a huge impact on the development of trade and industry in the North Caucasus. The construction of the Rostov-Vladikavkaz railway is also an example of public-private cooperation, which has paid off well. The road was built entirely at the expense of shareholders, among whom were both large industrialists and ordinary people. Being privately owned, the Vladikavkaz railway functioned and developedwell. At the same time, the state acquired an important transport artery of great economic and military-strategic importance. It was also important that a number of social facilities were built at the expense of the Vladikavkaz railway - hospitals, educational institutions. The article also shows the interest of the public in Vladikavkaz and the region as a whole in the construction of the railway. Various options for laying the track, building stations were widely discussed by both specialists and ordinary citizens. As a result, the most optimal route and location of the Vladikavkaz station were chosen. Further expansion of transport arteries today can significantly revive the economy of the Caucasus and Russia as a whole, as well as contribute to the development of tourism in the region. In this regard, it is necessary to analyze the history of constructing Vladikavkaz railway and adopt the best experience of the past.

scholarly journals INTEGRATION OF THE POLES INTO THE SOCIO-CULTURAL SPACE OF THE NORTH CAUCASUS (LATE 18TH – FIRST HALF OF THE 19TH CENTURY)

2021 ◽  
pp. 37-44
Author(s):  
С.Г. МИРЗОЕВА ◽  
Е.Х. АПАЖЕВА
Keyword(s):  
Radical Change ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
Educational Activities ◽  
Cultural Space ◽  
Caucasus Region ◽  
The North ◽  
The People ◽  
White Spots ◽  
The Russian Empire ◽  
The 19Th Century

С конца восемнадцатого столетия Российская империя постепенно усиливает свое присутствие на Северном Кавказе. В этой связи разные этнические группы, в том числе и поляки, все активней начинают появляться в этом регионе, поскольку он уже находится под контролем России. Источники проникновения на Кавказ были разные: во-первых, это российские служащие со своими семьями, попавшие в состав России после разделов Речи Посполитой и отправленные на службу на Северный Кавказ вследствие внутренних ротаций, и, во-вторых – ученые и коммивояжеры, увидевшие в этом крае безопасное и привлекательное место после начала освоения его Россией. Процесс переселения поляков в данный регион является актуальным вопросом и на сегодняшний день, так как его изучение дает возможность проследить слияние совершено разных культур и их благотворное влияние друг на друга. Культурно-просветительская деятельность поляков в северокавказском регионе в XIX в. проявилась в строительстве польских церквей – костелов, организации школ, благоустройстве городов и сел, открытии курортов. Просветительская деятельность, сохранение традиций, обычаев, менталитета, культуры народа были необходимы прежде всего самим полякам, так как они попали в совершенно новое культурное пространство. Since the end of the eighteenth century, the Russian Empire has gradually increased its presence in the North Caucasus. In this regard, different ethnic groups, including Poles, are increasingly beginning to appear in this region. They now do not perceive it as something terrible, since these territories since these territories are already under the control of Russia. The sources of their penetration into the Caucasus were different: firstly, these were Russian employees with their families who fell into Russia after the partitions of the Commonwealth and were sent to serve in the North Caucasus due to internal rotations, and secondly, scientists and traveling salesmen who saw in this region a safe and attractive place after the start of development by Russia. A radical change in the situation in Russia in terms of eliminating the “white spots” of history, the openness of archives, enable modern researchers to study moral, spiritual, social, cultural and national problems in Russia in general, and in the North Caucasus, in particular. The process of resettlement of Poles in this region is a topical issue today, since its study makes it possible to trace the merger of completely different cultures and their beneficial influence on each other. The cultural and educational activities of Poles in the North Caucasus region in the nineteenth century manifested itself in the construction of Polish churches - churches, the organization of schools, the improvement of cities and villages, the opening of resorts. Educational activities, preservation of traditions, customs, mentality, and culture of the people were necessary primarily for the Poles themselves, since they found themselves in a completely new cultural space.

scholarly journals THE HISTORY OF THE GREAT SELJUK STATE IN AZERBAIJANI HISTORIOGRAPHY

Globus ◽  
2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bayramov
Keyword(s):  
Middle Ages ◽  
Cultural Development ◽  
The Political ◽  
Special Role ◽  
Military Operations ◽  
South Caucasus ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Caucasus Region ◽  
The People ◽  
History Of

The history of the Seljuk state, which played a significant role in the political, economic and cultural life of the Near and Middle East in the Middle Ages, is one of the most actual problems in Azerbaijani historiography. As it is known, after the establishment of the Seljuk state by the Turks, their main policy was to advance to the west, to seize Anatolia, to turn Anatolia into Turkish lands. The Caucasus region was the gateway to Anatolia. That is why the Caucasus, as well as Azerbaijan was of great military-strategic importance for the Seljuks. After the Dandanekan victory, it was decided at the Congress in Merv to launch new military operations to the East and West. The main target of the attack was Iran, Byzantium and the South Caucasus, because these countries were in political disarray and unable to resist them. Seljuk troops advancing on the Caucasus soon subjugated the local feudal states. The people of Azerbaijan, who have been under the rule of the Seljuk state for more than a century, have played a special role in the political and cultural development of the Seljuk state. However, this problem in national historiography has been a separate research topic only in the second half of the 20th century, which has long been out of sight. The present article is devoted to the study of Seljuk state in Azerbaijani historiography. The article studies the works of prominent Azerbaijani historians Z. Bunyadov, R. Huseynov, N. Akhundova, N.Aliyeva, Sh.Mustafayev, I.Hajiyev, T.Dostiyev and others, who have done research in this area since the second half of the twentieth to the first decade of the twenty-first century and their role in the study of the history of the great state in the medieval Muslim East, the Seljuk State, has been defined

scholarly journals A Valor-Bonded Unity: Participation of Ethnic Minorities’ Representatives in the Battles for Kuban and Crimea (1941–1943)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Н.Ф. Бугай
Keyword(s):  
Soviet Union ◽  
Ethnic Minorities ◽  
Ethnic Communities ◽  
North Caucasus ◽  
The Caucasus ◽  
Soviet Government ◽  
The North ◽  
Post War ◽  
The Military ◽  
Military Units

В статье на основе исследований российских ученых, архивных документов, воспоминаний рассматривается слабо изученная в отечественной историографии проблема участия представителей этнических меньшинств в битвах за Кавказ и Крым в ходе Великой Отечественной войны. В качестве примера автором избраны этнические общности курдов и корейцев. Использованы историко-генетический, историко-биографический и системно-исторический методы. Изучены меры советского командования по формированию национальных воинских подразделений; реконструированы биографии героев войны – корейцев и курдов, участвовавших в освобождении Юга России и получивших боевые награды; прослежена их послевоенная судьба; рассмотрены репрессивные действия советского правительства по отношению к военнослужащим некоторых национальностей. Автор заключает, что представители разных народов СССР, столкнувшись с врагом, проявили стремление к единству и добровольное желание выступить на защиту государства, которое они избрали своей Родиной. The aim of the article is to reconstruct the biographies of participants in the Great Patriotic War (1941–1945), who belonged to ethnic minorities and fought for the liberation of the Caucasus and Crimea from Nazi invaders. As an example, the author selected ethnic communities of Kurds and Koreans. The study was conducted on the basis of research by Russian scholars, archival documents, and memoirs of direct participants in the events. The historical-genetic, historical-biographical and system-historical methods were used. The measures of the Soviet command for the formation of national military units were studied, the biographies of war heroes, Koreans and Kurds who participated in the liberation of the South of Russia and received military awards (including the title Hero of the Soviet Union) were reconstructed. The author describes in detail the military clashes during which these fighters showed military prowess, presents their photographs, and traces their further military path, post-war fate and forms of their memory perpetuation. Quotations from the war veterans’ front-line letters and their relatives’ memoirs are given. The repressive actions of the Soviet government towards the military personnel of certain nationalities, who after the demobilization received the status of “special settlers” and lost their military tickets and award sheets, are also considered. The author emphasizes that the fight against the enemy was a test of strength for the unity of the peoples living in the Caucasus and Crimea. Examples of civic solidarity in the fight against the enemy shown by ethnic minorities in the early days of the war (mass enrollment in volunteers, holding civil rallies) are given. It is noted that representatives of local ethnic communities became the basis of 12 military units that were at the forefront of the defenders of the Caucasus. The paradoxical nature of the situation in which USSR citizens were repressed for various (often far-fetched) reasons is stated; however, during the war they still heroically fought against Nazism with arms in their hands. The author connects the repressions against members of the ethnic minorities with the ethnosocial policy pursued by the Soviet state, as well as the spread of desertion and draft evasion in the North Caucasus and Crimea. It is concluded that representatives of ethnic minorities living in the USSR, faced with the enemy, showed a desire for unity and a voluntary desire to defend the state, which they chose as their homeland.

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