M. D. Skobelev in Сentral Asian campaigns in the second half of the 19th century

Introduction. The historical memory of our people is based on the glorious military traditions and military exploits of Russian soldiers in defending the interests and frontiers of the Fatherland. Analyzing the state, military structure and traditions of the army of the Russian Empire of the second half of the 19th century, the author focuses on the role and significance of the Central Asian campaigns in the formation and development of the military talent of Mikhail Dmitrievich Skobelev.

Materials and methods. The historical research is based on the analysis of various published sources, memoirs of participants and contemporaries, events described, publications by contemporary authors, as well as archival materials. During the research, the author applied the following methods: objectivity, historicism, narrative-descriptive, system analysis, which made it possible to analyze the military service and combat activities of M. D. Skobelev in Central Asia.

Analysis. The author explores the military path of M. D. Skobelev, who devoted his whole life to serving the Fatherland and protecting the borders of the Russian Empire. Starting his service in Central Asia, the young lieutenant Colonel of the General Staff proved himself to be a talented and enterprising officer, gaining the necessary experience of combat command in the Khiva campaign of 1873. During the Kokand expedition of 1875-1876 and the Kashgar mission of 1875, which evacuated the Russian embassy and the deposed Khudoyar Khan outside the Kokand Khanate, M. D. Skobelev showed not only brilliant commanding abilities, but also the capabilities of a skilled diplomat. The apogee of General Skobelev’s generalship talent was the II Akhal-Teke campaign of 1880-1881, where he acted as the commander of the entire expeditionary force, a skilled military leader capable of making the only right decision in extreme conditions of mountainous and desert terrain and mobilizing his subordinates to successfully complete any combat mission.

Results. Based on the results of the conducted historical research, it is necessary to conclude that M. D. Skobelev for 39 years of his life, made a spectacular military career. Over 21 years of military service, he went through the military path from a cadet to a general from the infantry, and was never a parquet general, but earned his ranks and posts in combat battles, proving himself to be a competent, disciplined, brave and enterprising officer, loyal to his oath and duty. Throughout his service, he commanded various military units, both regular and irregular, always understanding the specifics of the organization of combat activities. M. Skobelev was distinguished not only by his daily demands on subordinates, but also by his care for them, and his ability to defend the interests of any lower rank before his superiors.

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