This article concerns the expansion of Russia into the region between the Black and Caspian Seas, mainly between 1800 and 1864. The main events were:
- The annexation of eastern Georgia south of the mountains in 1800
- A series of wars against Turkey, Persia and local rulers to expand and consolidate this bridgehead.
- The long and bloody Caucasus War to gain control of the intervening mountains
- and, in the north, the replacement of steppe nomads with Russian peasants