Russian–Vainakh Relations up to the 1780s

Abstract

Before the outbreak of the first Russo-Turkish war, Russian activity in the North Caucasus was limited to defending its southern borders. However, this did not at all mean that Russia had completely withdrawn from the life of the North Caucasian peoples. Soon, the Russian administration began attempting to use every opportunity at its disposal to exert influence over these peoples. For their part, local rulers sought, when necessary, to obtain the support of Russian military forces and to use their influence in resolving disputed issues with their neighbors. A certain portion of the feudal lords heading the Vainakh communities were considered subordinate to Russia, which allowed the Russian leadership to claim that the lands located on the right bank of the Terek River, as well as deeper into Chechnya-Ingushetia, belonged to Russia. Those regarded as rulers subordinate to Russia included the princes Aydemirovs, Chapalovs, Kazbulatovs, and Terloevs.