Українські невільники у Криму в другій половині XVI ст.

Relevance of the research. In connection with the annexation of Crimea by Russia, the idea of historical non-involvement with Crimea, the complete absence of the Slavic population in the Crimean Khanate, which appeared only after the annexation of Crimea to the Russian Empire by Catherine II, is spreading in scientific and journalistic literature. However, familiarity with sources written in mediaeval Turkish and Arabic makes it possible to expose such stereotypes. The Ukrainian element in Crimea under the rule of the Ottoman Empire and the Crimean Khanate was marked by a demographic component. Some scholars, in particular Ya. Dashkevych (based on Polish sources), argue that the number of Ukrainians in Crimea was less only when compared to the Crimean Tatars. The purpose of this work is not only to record the presence and count of Ukrainian slaves, but also to determine marital status, professional affiliation, if possible, the location of the farm, the identity of the owner, and many other data. Conclusions. Ottoman sources, primarily the Kazasker Defteri, are a full-fledged and very informative source for studying not only the history and culture of Crimea but also Ukrainian studies in general. The presented material confirms the data of Ya. Dashkevych that Ukrainians occupied the second place after the Tatars among the inhabitants of Crimea in the 17th century. The statement of the Turkish historian Y. Öztürk that a Cossack is the definition of a slave of any nationality, not necessarily a Ukrainian, is refuted. In the twentieth volume of the Kazasker books of the Bakhchysarai Kadylyk, Ukrainians occupy the first place in terms of number. Compared with the first half of the 17th century, the number of Ukrainian slaves in the second half increased noticeably. It should be noted that during this period, the number of Ukrainian slave families with children increased. In addition, slaves who occupied a fairly high position in Ukraine (for example, Cossack otamans) are recorded. Perhaps this is due not only to the capture of prisoners but also to migrations from the territory of Ukraine during the “hungry years”, during the Ruin period. The data of the defteri indicate that among the Ukrainian slaves, there were representatives of very important and respected professions in the Ottoman Empire: blacksmiths, millers, farmers, shepherds, shoemakers, furriers, and gunsmiths. Thus, the Kazasker Defteri of the Bakhchysarai Kadylyk indicates that Ukrainians played a significant role in the economy of the Crimean Khanate.