Mongolia in Historiographic Heritage of Professor Ilya I. Kuznetsov

Goals. The article aims to determine the place of Mongolia and plots related to the history of this country in works of the famous Soviet and Russian historian Ilya I. Kuznetsov, to evaluate his contribution to the study of the military conflict between the Red Army and armed forces of Japan in 1939 at the River of Khalkhin, and to characterize the role of I. Kuznetsov in preparing the memoirs of Yu. Tsedenbal. Materials and methods. The article analyzes memoirs and correspondence of I. Kuznetsov, materials of periodicals and mainly scientific works of the historian dealing with exploits of Soviet and Mongolian soldiers during the conflict on the Khalkhin Gol River. The methodology employed — in addition to the general scientific method of analysis — includes special historical research methods, i.e. the retrospective and chronological ones. Results. The study determines the chronological framework of issues related to events on the Khalkhin Gol River and studied by I. Kuznetsov — from mid-1960s to mid-1980s. The scholar prepared a number of articles and monographs that forever inscribed his name in the historiography of the events at Khalkhin Gol. Assistance in the preparation of Yu. Tsedenbal’s memoirs also became an important and interesting part of the historian’s scientific path, although this work remained unfinished. Conclusions. The study shows that despite issues of Mongolian history were not central to the scientific endeavors of I. Kuznetsov, his insights into the events on the Khalkhin Gol River were important in developing another research interest of the historian — destinies of Heroes of the Soviet Union and feats accomplished by soldiers of the Soviet and Mongolian armies. Publications of I. Kuznetsov’s works in the Mongolian People’s Republic and the Soviet Union unequivocally attest to the significance of his academic efforts aimed at exploring destinies of the heroes of Khalkhin Gol. This is confirmed by the very fact the scholar was invited to assist Yu. Tsedenbal in writing the latter’s memoirs. I. Kuznetsov was a historian with diverse scientific interests who with genuine enthusiasm tackled new research topics. The Mongolian theme is undoubtedly a significant contribution to his scientific background. And for the Mongolian people proper, the perpetuation of their compatriots’ feats in the conflict at Khalkhin Gol was of great importance. 

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