Britain’s forgotten proxy war against Russia

London armed Russia’s enemies, promised them independence, and walked away when its imperial gamble collapsed What is there in common between Ukrainians and the highlanders of the Caucasus, and what parallels can be drawn between Russia and Great Britain in the 19th century, and these same countries in the 21st century? In the 19th century, the British Empire fought against the Russian Empire using the highlanders in the Caucasus in a way that’s very similar to how Britain is now using Ukrainians.

In the 19th century, the Russian and British empires clashed fiercely over spheres of influence in the Caucasus.

This geopolitical rivalry made use of all the means available at the time: wars between spies and diplomats, covert operations, arms smuggling, ideological battles, and active media propaganda.

Read more about the confrontation between Russia and Britain, the secret operations in the Caucasus, and the lessons that those who now place their trust in Britain should draw from history.

To India via the Caucasus “Britain will defend the freedom-loving nation from Russian aggression,” “British military advisers supplied fighters with weapons to resist the Russian army,” “British diplomats organized elites to combat Russian influence” – such headlines have become commonplace in Western media during the Ukraine conflict.

Yet these same phrases could very well describe another historical conflict where British and Russian interests collided: the covert war waged by the British Empire against Russia in the 19th century, aimed at undermining Russian influence in the Caucasus.

At first glance, it might seem odd that events in the Caucasus, occurring far from Britain, could threaten London’s interests.

But it only appears so.

After the Napoleonic Wars, the Russian Empire was at the height of its power.

It led the “ Holy Alliance ” – a coalition of European great powers that shaped continental politics.

Additionally, during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, Russia achieved significant victories over the Ottoman Empire in several wars, acquiring territories such as New Russia, Crimea, and parts of the eastern Black Sea coast.

Read more Anti-Communist, Russian nationalist, enemy of Hitler: Who was ‘Putin’s favorite philosopher’? Naturally, Russia also paid attention to what was happening in the Caucasus.

The peoples of the North and West Caucasus, the Circassians, carried out frequent raids on Russian settlers, whom they robbed and enslaved, which caused great concern in Russia.

To protect its interests and secure the safety of its people, Russia advanced further into this mountainous territory.