This timeline provides a basic orientation. It does not replace detailed historical study, but it helps readers situate the main stages of conquest, destruction, exile, and recognition.
Eighteenth century
Russian imperial expansion into the North Caucasus intensified. The construction of fortified lines and military settlements became part of Russia’s strategy to extend control southwards and incorporate the Caucasus into imperial space.
1763
The construction of the Mozdok fortress is often treated in Circassian and Caucasus historiography as a major marker in the beginning of intensified Russian expansion into the region. Later scholarship describes the Russian-Circassian War as extending from 1763 to 1864.
Early nineteenth century
Russian military pressure increased across the Caucasus. Circassian communities resisted imperial fortification, military expeditions, settlement, and attempts to impose Russian authority. The north-western Caucasus became one of the central theatres of the wider Caucasus War.
1859
The defeat of Imam Shamil in the eastern Caucasus allowed Russian military attention to shift more fully toward the western Caucasus and Circassia. The final phase of conquest became increasingly focused on depopulation, forced resettlement, and expulsion.
1860–1864
The most catastrophic phase of the Circassian genocide unfolded. Russian forces advanced through Circassian lands, destroyed villages, ruined food supplies, and forced populations toward the Black Sea coast. Large numbers of Circassians were expelled to Ottoman territory.
21 May 1864
Circassians commemorate 21 May as the Day of Mourning. It symbolises the end of the Caucasus War, the defeat of Circassia, mass death, forced exile, and the destruction of the homeland.
1860s–1870s
Circassian refugees were settled across Ottoman territories, including Anatolia, the Balkans, the Levant, and other regions. Many died from disease, hunger, exhaustion, and difficult settlement conditions.
Twentieth century
Circassian memory survived through family histories, diaspora communities, commemorative practices, cultural institutions, and political activism. In Soviet and Russian official narratives, the genocide framing was not recognised.
1990
Circassian organisations designated 21 May as a national day of mourning and remembrance.
2011
Georgia became the first state to recognise the Circassian genocide.
2014
The Sochi Winter Olympics drew international attention to Circassian memory because the games were held in a region associated with the final stages of Russian conquest and Circassian exile.
2025
Ukraine recognised the Circassian genocide, becoming the second state after Georgia to do so.