Historical and documentary legacy in the holdings of the Russian State Military Archives

Abstract

The article considers the Russian State Military Archives (RGVA) as an invaluable resource for the study of military history. The Archives keeps rare categories of documents, which form the factual basis for research, reveal the social and cultural context of military events, and enable the analysis of military historiography.

Particular attention is paid to the “especially valuable” and unique documents of the Archival Fund of the Russian Federation, preserved within the RGVA’s main archival collections. The article emphasizes the influence of these documents on the development of military historiography in Russia, including the enrichment of knowledge, the creation of new research directions, and support for memorial work. Unique documents reflecting the lives of historical figures and significant events in the history of warfare are provided as examples, as well as personal collections keeping information about the lives and activities of individuals, families, and public figures.

It is noted that the archival materials not only reveal the chronology of events but also allow for the reconstruction of historical truth, which is particularly important in the context of the contemporary attempts to distort it. In conclusion, the article underscores the importance of protecting the historical truth about the Great Patriotic War, a matter to which the President of the Russian Federation, V.V. Putin, pays special attention. The role of the RGVA’s dedicated staff in preserving and transmitting historical knowledge, as well as the importance of the continuity of generations of archivists, is also highlighted.