Russians

The Russians are largest of the Slavic minority groups in the country - accounting for just over 11% of the total population.

The Kyrgyz of the Chui and Issyk Kul regions made overtures to tsarist Russia seeking protection from the Khanates of Kokand and Bhukara and the Chinese.  At the time of the first emissary, (Atake Baatyr), however, the Russian empire was faced with problems elsewhere and little inclined to extend themselves further East.  The situation changed, however, and the Russians began to look on their southern neighbours as unstable, anachronistic regimes.  They soon found that they were plunged headlong into an expansionist campaign - often driven by individualistic military commanders (some contrary to their orders).   Apart from their distrust and distaste for many of the regimes they were to eliminate, there was a concern over the expansion of British influence emanating from British India - and the perceived need to establish a secure southern border.    

As a consequence of the military campaigns to conquer the lands of Central Asia - and scientific expeditions to explore the remote and little known lands and peoples to the South and East, Russians started to emigrate to the region towards the end of the 19th century.  Although there was a Russian presence in the area beforehand - the main thrust of expansion came after 1861 and the Stolypin reforms abolished serfdom throughout the Russian empire.  In a policy which could be described as "Go East Young Man", the Tsarist government had promised them grants of land and tax breaks in order to encourage the "colonization" of the country. 

Later, during the Second World War, whole communities were transported away from the Western Front, and the advancing German armies.  There was then a further influx during in the 1950s under Khrushchev's "Virgin Lands" campaign which sought to develop the vast expanses of the East, encourage agriculture and the development of industry. 

Relationships between the Russians and the Kyrgyz have been mixed ...

Although the Russian expansion into the region may appear to have been aggressive - it should be remembers that, in the North - to some extent at least, they were invited and welcomed.  Even in the South where there was more reluctance to accept them - they were still seen as the "power to be dealt with".  When  Kurmanjan Datka, ("the Queen of the Alai" - and leader of the Southern Kyrgyz) met with two British agents en route - undercover of disguises - who had made overtures to her in the name of Queen Victoria, she is reputed to have replied to the effect that: England is far away - Russia is much nearer ... and they don't interfere with us, we live our lives as we always have.

Many of the early settlers were to learn Kyrgyz - and even today it is possible to find ethnic Russians living in villages speaking fluent Kyrgyz. 

There were times of trouble, however, and the events of 1916 marked a nadir in relationships between the two groups.  It is true that fault can be laid on both sides for the excesses that led to many thousands of people being slaughtered and yet more to die of hunger and cold on the mountain passes as thet fled to China. ... In due course, the Russian armies proved superior and the Kyrgyz subjected themselves to Russian rule once more ... and subsequently to Soviet rule. 

Most Russians live in the North - in Bishkek, along the shore of Lake Issyk Kul and in Talas.  There are many villages with Russian names - Orlovka, Alexadrovka and so forth.  Many settlements, however, have had their names changed to Kyrgyz ones - in the case of Prezhervalsk, to revert to the former Kyrgyz name, (Karakol); or in the case of Rybache, to a Kyrgyz version of the same word (Balykchi); or in the case of Dalinka to a totally new name in Kyrgyz, (Kara Oi). 

They tend to work as settled farmers, technicians and academics.  During the Soviet period they formed an elite within the country.  It is said that in the Soviet system, throughout the USSR, the figurehead always came from the most populous of the region's nationalities, his first deputy from the second most populous and the third most important person (the second deputy) was always a Russian ... and always exercised the real power whilst owing allegiance to the Central government in Moscow.

Since independence there has been a large migration of ethic Russians back to "Mother Russia".  One reason seems to have been a tendency to feel that the local Kyrgyz are nationalistic - and so they see little future for their children.  This "brain drain" has had some serious consequences on the republic and is likely to get worse as Russia tries to cope with a declining population and seeks to encourage the Russian Diaspora to return.  Many Russians, however, have decided to stay - and, indeed, some who had left earlier have returned - either disillusioned in Russia, or feeling more comfortable in the land of their birth/youth in which they grew up and that Central Asia is really their "home".

The government is aware of the concerns of many Russians - and has made overtures to reassure and "win over" their confidence.  The Russian language has been afforded the status of an "official" language.  The Russian military, having once withdrawn from the country (in 1999, when they ceased to man the border service) have now re-established a military presence in the Air force base at Kant.  The government is seeking to reinforce ties with their old "friend" and cooperation agreements have been signed which should bring considerable investment to the country.