Adyghe Int. Sci. J. Vol. 25, No. 4. Pp. 100–121.
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.47928/1726-9946-2025-25-4-100-121
EDN: QYJBKQ
HISTORY
| UDC 352.3 | Original Article |
Circassian Atlantis: traces of historical mistakes
Ivanov (IUAN) Petr Matsovich
doctor of technical sciences, professor, Honored scientist of the Russian Federation, Scientific director of the Kabardino-Balkarian scientific center of the Russian academy of sciences (360010, Russia, Kabardino-Balkarian Republic, Nalchik, Balkarov street 2), full member of IAAS, academician of the Russian academy of natural sciences and the International Academy of sciences (Munich), Laureate of the USSR council of ministers prize, ORCID: https: //orcid.org/0000-0003-4416-793X, pmivanov-iuan@mail.ru
Abstract. This article is dedicated to the century-long relations between the Circassians and Russians. The history of these relations is a complex topic, due to the many different phenomena that have occurred over time, sometimes contradictory, unresolved, and even inexplicable, but they have nevertheless influenced both peoples. Circassian-Russian relations are further complicated by the tragic consequences of the century-long Caucasus War in the 18th and 19th centuries, which split the destinies of these people into “before”and “after”. The “before” period is characterized as a time of historical mistakes and missed opportunities, when the Russian Empire could have incorporated Circassia into the empire without war. Traces of historical mistakes remain for centuries, creating difficult and sometimes insoluble problems for future generations. The Caucasian War in the 18th and 19th centuries was not a fatal inevitability. In the “after” period, the Circassians (Adyghe people) suffered a national tragedy. Historical Circassia has disappeared, and Circassians have found themselves scattered around the world. The author calls this tragedy the “Circassian Atlantis”. The current state of relations between Circassians and Russians is reflected in the concept of the “Circassian issue which aims to restore justice for the Adyghe people and ensure their preservation, correct historical injustices, and secure their right to live on their ancestral lands, known as Circassia. It is noted that there is only one possible solution to the “Circassian issue” – integrating it into the process of political modernization in Russia – a necessary step in light of Russia’s inevitable involvement in global economic integration and the establishment of a new world order. The basis for Russia’s political reconstruction is a proposed two-tier federation, with the creation of second-level federal entities, the need of which is also driven by the inevitable emergence of interethnic communities within these territories.
Keywords: historical Circassia, historical lands, Caucasian War, Circassian question, repatriation, historical mistake, federation of federations, interethnic communities, globalization.
Funding. The work was not carried out within the framework of funds.
Competing interests. There are no conflicts of interest regarding authorship and publication.
Contribution and Responsibility. The author participated in the writing of the article and is fully responsible for submitting the final version of the article to the press.
For citation. Ivanov (IUAN) P. M. Circassian Atlantis: traces of historical mistakes. Adyghe Int. Sci. J. 2025. Vol. 25, No. 4. Pp. 100–121. DOI: https://doi.org/10.47928/1726-9946-2025-25-4-100-121; EDN: QYJBKQ
Submitted 15.09.2025; approved after reviewing 11.11.2025; accepted for publication 14.11.2025.
© Ivanov P. M., 2025
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