Russian Conquest of Crimea Begins

1771

Prince Dolgorukov's army stormed the Perekop lines and overran the Crimean Khanate. Catherine installed a puppet khan and quietly began drafting annexation. The Tatars of Crimea, who for centuries had raided Russian villages for slaves, were about to find themselves the subjects of the grandchildren of their victims. Formal annexation would follow in 1783, giving Russia the warm-water naval base it had sought for generations.