Earthen ramparts, abatis, and the line of fortresses: the formation and evolution of the frontier during the Russian Empire

this article analyzes the evolution of fortified lines and the formation of the frontier of the Russian Empire based on materials from central and local archives of Russia. The goal is to identify the characteristics of the development of fortified lines in various regions of the Russian Empire and explain how the empire used the system of fortified lines to shape and evolve its frontiers. The analysis of the fortified lines on the frontier revealed the following characteristics: 1) The evolution of the fortified lines of the Russian Empire can be divided into three stages: earthworks, abatis, and the line of fortresses. Earthworks and abatis represent passive defensive structures, while the line of fortresses represents active defensive structures; 2) The system of fortified lines of the Russian Empire is divided into European, Caucasian, Central Asian, and Siberian fortified lines. The following conclusions were drawn: 1) The history of the development of the fortified lines of the Russian Empire is closely linked to the process of the formation and evolution of its frontier; 2) The transformation of border fortresses into important border cities reflects a model of military and civil integration in the administration of the border regions of the Russian Empire; 3) The expansion of old fortified lines into new ones demonstrates a model of the expanding formation of the frontiers of the Russian Empire; 4) The fortress lines on the border are not only the foundation for the development of border cities but also a milestone in the formation and evolution of the border territories of the Russian Empire.

укреплённые линии, линия крепостей, фронтир, формирование фронтира, Российская империя