Administrative and Territorial Structure of Kalmykia in the Context of Its Relations with Astrakhan Oblast on the Issue of the Kalmyk People’s Rehabilitation: Historical Aspects Revisited

Introduction. The paper explores historical aspects of Kalmykia’s administrative and territorial structure with due regard of its relations to Astrakhan Oblast in the context of the Kalmyk people’s territorial rehabilitation initiated in the early 1990s. Materials and Methods. The work employs the historical descriptive and comparative research methods. It focuses on one archival document — the opinion letter of September 20–23, 1991 by Yu. Oglaev, Cand.Sc. (history) and Associate Professor at Kalmyk State University, dealing with ‘Working Papers on Territorial Rehabilitation of the Kalmyk People’ issued by the Commission of Astrakhan Oblast Soviet of People’s Deputies. Results. The article examines arguments of Astrakhan Oblast authorities aimed at undermining attempts of Kalmykia’s government to raise the question of territorial rehabilitation. Specifically, it gives some data on territorial transformations of ‘enclave’ settlements in Kalmykia before December 1943 and after the 1957 restoration of the ethnic autonomy. Conclusions. The historical aspect of territorial disputes between the two Lower Volga regions after 1957 basically rests on that Astrakhan Oblast government refused to recognize the proclaimed (reclaimed) borders (some part) of Kalmykia as of 1957. The idea of returning two districts integral to the Kalmyk ASSR as of 1943 back to the republic was articulated by Kalmykia’s executives in the Government of the RSFSR after 1957, and the era of perestroika attached somewhat sociopolitical features to the issue — only to eventually end in nothing. However, the history of territorial transformations of settlements in the border areas of Kalmykia and Astrakhan Oblast do require further scientific insights, as well as the use of distant pastures by neighboring regions — special emphasis thereto be laid on economic, environmental and land-related consequences experienced by the republic.

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