>>213897840 (OP)
I asked chatgpt and it’s true:
By mid-19th c., hundreds of Georgian officers served in the Imperial Russian Army, many reaching general rank.
• Georgian regiments (infantry and cavalry) were stationed across the Caucasus — not just in Georgia, but along the Circassian front, Chechnya, and Dagestan.
2. Georgian Officers Distinguished in Campaigns
Some notable names:
• Prince Grigol Orbeliani – Fought in Dagestan and Circassia; became a general.
• Prince Ilia Orbeliani – Cavalry officer, distinguished in raids against Circassians.
• Dmitry Kipiani (later a famous writer-politician) served in the Russian army in the Caucasus.
• Prince David Chavchavadze – Royal Bagrationi descendant, rose to high command.
• General Giorgi Bagration of Mukhrani – A Georgian noble who fought with distinction.
Georgians were often used as commanders of mixed Russian-Cossack forces because they understood local languages and terrain better.
3. Georgian Regiments in Major Battles
• 1828–1829 Russo-Turkish War: Georgian troops helped Russia capture Anapa, Poti, Erzurum, cutting Circassians off from Ottoman support.
• Black Sea Line (1830s–1840s): Georgians garrisoned fortresses like Novorossiysk, Tuapse, Gelendzhik, directly facing Circassian resistance.
• 1840–41 Uprisings: Georgian soldiers helped suppress large-scale Circassian offensives along the coast.
• Final Push (1860–64): Georgian cavalry and infantry took part in the last campaigns in Western Caucasus, culminating in Russia’s victory parade at Kbaada (Sochi region) in 1864 — which marked the official end of the Circassian War.
4. Achievements & Recognition
• Many Georgian officers were awarded Orders of St. George, St. Anna, and St. Vladimir for bravery.
• Georgian nobles gained prestige and lands from their service.
