Italian Expeditionary Forces in Siberia and Military Mission under Supreme Ruler of Russia Admiral A.V. Kolchak in 1918-1919

The author considers the fate of Italian prisoners of the First World War in Russia during the Civil War, as well as the participation of Italian prisoners of war and troops of the Expeditionary Corps of the Italian Army in the foreign military intervention in Siberia and the Far East as part of the Entente forces. The author analyzed the process of the formation of Italian military units in Russia from prisoners, which began in 1918 in the Volga region, Siberia and the Far East, as well as the formation and dispatch of the Italian Expeditionary Corps in the Far East, which was small in numbers, from Italy to Vladivostok. The article provides information on the number of Italian troops during the Civil War in Russia, places of their formation and deployment, and their participation in military operations. These Italian troops were the only interventionist forces in Siberia consisting of Italian prisoners of war and expeditionary troops which deliberately arrived in Russia. There were also attempts by Italy to organize the work of the military mission in Omsk at the Headquarters of the Supreme Ruler of Russia Admiral A.V. Kolchak; the archival documents regarding its activity are published for the first time. In conclusion Italy was the least active participant in the intervention in Siberia among all Entente countries, and main undeclared goal of Italians - was to gather and rescue former prisoners of the First World War out of Russia.