New episode of "8 Steps Across the Map of Russia" explores the era after Peter the Great

A new episode of the educational video series "8 Steps Across the Map of Russia" is now available on the website of the National Centre RUSSIA. The fourth installment of the project focuses on the period following the reign of Peter the Great — a time when the Russian Empire expanded into new territories, strengthened its position in the south, and gradually emerged as one of the world's leading powers. The latest episode can be viewed via the link below.

The episode centres on the 18th century, a period often remembered primarily as the era of palace coups. However, "8 Steps Across the Map of Russia" offers a broader perspective, highlighting how this was also a time of continued cartographic exploration, military and naval development, and the founding of new cities.

The programme also examines the incorporation of Crimea into the Russian Empire during the reign of Catherine the Great. Viewers will learn how international conflicts, diplomatic maneuvering, and military campaigns gradually enabled Russia to gain access to the Black Sea. The episode covers key events including the First Russo-Turkish War, Alexei Orlov's Archipelago Expedition, and the Russian Navy's victory at the Battle of Chesma — developments that played a major role in shaping the country's future.

A separate segment addresses one of the most enduring historical myths — the so-called "Potemkin villages." Experts explain that behind this expression actually lay a massive development of the empire's southern territories. During this period, cities such as Kherson, Sevastopol, Odessa, and Yekaterinodar were founded, while roads, infrastructure, and new economic centres were actively developed.

The authors of the episode also address Catherine II's ambitious “Greek Project” — the idea of restoring the Byzantine Empire — and recount Russia's first steps toward global maritime exploration. Having secured access to multiple seas, the country began to establish itself not only as a military power but also as a scientific and maritime nation.

The "8 Steps Across the Map of Russia" project continues to tell the story of the country through geography, territory, and the people who shaped the state's development. The new episode offers viewers a broader perspective on familiar historical events and helps to understand how the decisions and achievements of the 18th century influenced Russia's subsequent development.