The works of foreigners about Russia of the XVI - early XXI centuries as a historical source

The article is devoted to the analysis of the works of foreign authors of the XVI-XXI centuries, in which they describe Muscovy, Russia, based on their own or others' impressions. On the example of the works of J. Fletcher, S. Herberstein, N. Varkoch, A. Olearia, A. de Custine and others, the process of forming the image of distant Russia, a rich country, but with a drinking people who want to be conquered, is considered. The description of Russian everyday life by foreigners is a serious historical source that serves as an addition to domestic documents. The main means of obtaining foreigners' knowledge about Russia was observing what was happening around them, conversations with representatives of high society complemented their impression of the country. Most authors paid special attention to the wealth of Russia, based on the goal-the dream of turning Russia into a colony of the West. It is concluded that there is a need for a critical attitude to foreign printed sources due to their subjectivity and veiled politicization. The material presented in the article can be used in the educational process for the course of the History of Russia, source studies, History of the State and Law of Russia.