The annexation of the Lena region to the Russian state by service people in the 17th century in the concept of frontier space

Aim. To identify the features of the application of the frontier concept for research into the events of the annexation of the Lena region to the Russian state in the 17th century by service people. Methodology. The analysis of works by Russian historians devoted to the study of the history of colonization of Siberia and North-East Asia, considering this process from the position of the frontier concept, was carried out. The method of comparative analysis of sources was applied, a large volume of documentary, historiographic and folklore materials was studied. Results. Based on the study of various approaches to the application of the frontier concept to the study of various aspects of the multidimensional process of the annexation of Siberian and north-eastern lands by Russian people, the author found that the frontier concept remains in demand in this area of historical research since it helps to reveal additional aspects of the socio-cultural interaction of newcomers and indigenous peoples. The author concludes that, in the context of the development of significant spaces by Russian service people, it is advisable to study the emerging “mental boundaries” – territorial frontiers around forts and winter quarters, which were strongholds for the colonization of the region located along the largest rivers of Northeast Asia. Research implications. Considering the scale and speed of movement of detachments of service people deep into the north-eastern lands, the author substantiates the use of the term “movable frontier” and reveals the reasons for the peaceful nature of interaction in the frontier space of Russian pioneers with the Yakuts.