The natural landscape of the Caucasus as an enemy of the Separate Caucasian corps

The study discussed the natural and geographic features of the Caucasus which had a significant impact on the Russian army during the Caucasian War of 1817-1864. The research was primarily based on personal papers: memoirs, private correspondence, diaries and diary entries. In the mountain regions of the Caucasus, the army faced the following great challenges: hard movements, the lack of knowledge of the area, severe climate, the inability to use such traditional tactics as a close order formation and an artillery fire. Besides, it was difficult to pass through the forests of Circassia and Chechnya because of the hidden accurate shooting of highlanders and ineffective salvo firing. The author concluded that the natural landscape of the Caucasus became one of the reasons for the transformation of the Separate Caucasian Corps that had gradually adapted to local conditions.