HUMANITARIAN CHRONOGRAPH
A single literary language for all branches of the Ossetian people
HISTORY
Andrey Mikhailovich Korzhenkov, Alexander Nikolaevich Ovsiuchenko, Vladimir Taimurazovich Chshiev, Alexander Sergeevich Larkov, Dmitry Evgenievich Edemsky, Vladislav Borisovich Zaalishvili, Olga Yuryevna Kashitsyna, Lyubov Andreevna Korzhenkova, Alexander Anatolyevich Averin
Historical and macroseismic study of the medieval village of Tib, Republic of North Ossetia-Alania
Abstract. Our archaeoseismological studies in the village of Tib revealed small lateral ruptures in the walls, as well as traces of significant seismic-inertial deformations: tilting, displacement, collapse, and rotation of parts of buildings, lateral bends of extended walls and also significant interblock fissures. Unfortunately we could not reveal a systematic pattern in the occurrence of particular types of deformation in walls of specific orientations in the ruins of the Tib tower complex. This circumstance may be caused by the following reasons: 1) an insufficient number of studied structures to identify systematic patterns of seismic deformation; 2) the different ages of the buildings; 3) the location of the fortified complex in the epicentral zone of an ancient earthquake, where predominant vertical movements lead to destruction and damage but do not produce a systematic pattern in the distribution of particular types of deformation. The seismic event probably occurred after the beginning of the 18th century. The building complexes at Tib suffered significant damage and destruction. The local seismic intensity at Tib is estimated at II = VIII–IX. Additional field and laboratory-based studies are necessary for a more complete characterization of ancient seismic events, as well as for the localization of ancient epicentral zones within specific crustal structures of the region. It is also necessary to determine the age of historical seismic disasters.
Keywords: Tib, Welta, Ardon River, late Middle Ages, towers, seismic deformations, kinematic indicators, North Ossetia, North Caucasus, strong earthquakes
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.62.92.001
Ludwig A. Chibirov
To the history of the establishment of state relations between South and North Ossetia
Abstract. After the collapse of the USSR, the Republic of North Ossetia as an independent entity remained within Russia as a federal subject. As for the South Ossetian Autonomous Region of the GSSR, it was liquidated by the Supreme Council of Georgia under Zviad Gamsakhurdia. The adoption of this act resulted in the Georgian-South Ossetian armed confrontation and was one of the factors behind proclamation of the independent Republic of South Ossetia on September 20, 1990. Having severed relations with Georgia South Ossetia, which was struggling for its political survival, turned its attention to the north. This resulted in the first Ossetian-Ossetian interstate agreements, concluded at the level of the parliaments in 1995 and the governments in 1996.
Keywords: Ossetia, republic, agreements, treaty.
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.92.30.001
Alexander S. Pryadkin
Analysis of the role and contribution of Soviet defense enterprises and military authorities of the Navy in the development, adoption and operation of anti-ship missile defense systems in the 1950s-1960s.
Abstract. The article examines the development, testing, and adoption into service in the USSR of shipborne anti-ship cruise missile (ASCM) systems in the 1950s–1960s. Archival documents are analyzed to characterize the role and contribution of Soviet defense-industry enterprises and the military authorities of the Navy to these processes. The materials of the article may be useful to historians and researchers studying the development of Soviet missile weapons.
Keywords: USSR; anti-ship cruise missile; development; testing; adoption into service; military-industrial complex; Soviet missile weapons
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.41.32.001
Pavel B. Bekkerman
Heroes without stars: Senior Lieutenant Dzadte Agnaev (on the 110th anniversary of his birth)
Abstract. The deceased officer Agnaev was one of those nominated for the title of Hero of the Soviet Union, but neither fate nor the decisions of the highest military command were favorable to him. He was not awarded the Gold Star; his name does not appear on memorial plaques or in street names; his full date of birth is unknown; and, due to his early death, he left no direct descendants. It provides a compelling reasons for publishing this memorial article, which is based on materials from military archives and family artifacts. The new information may contribute to preserving the memory of D.G. Agnaev in his native region.
Keywords: Agnaev Dzadte Gabotsievich, 110th anniversary of birth, native of the city of Alagir, pride of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania, Great Patriotic War, hardships of early years, injustice at the front, death on the territory of Ukraine, neglect of heroic deeds, absence of memorial sites, restoration of historical justice, “Russia#South#Victory#Remember”
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.81.52.002
Maya Ch. Chshiyeva, Kamilla A. Karsanova
On the history of the immortal regiment of Razdzog village
Abstract. Based on archival documents, family memories, and publications, this article reconstructs the military history of the small Ossetian village of Razdzoog. Of the 600 residents, 300 went to the front, and 85 of them died. The article explores the tragic and heroic fates of the Gusov brothers, five of whom fought in the war and three of whom died in 1943. Separate sections examine the political officer Tlat Gugkaev, defender of the “Nevsky Pyatachok” Dzakho[t] Gusov, pilots Khazbi Tomaev and Khazret Gusov. The article also examines the history of the partisan struggle and the feat of Gola Kodzaev, who went missing in action, among others. The purpose of the study is to reconstruct the military history of Razdzog village, identify the names of its heroes, and examine their feats and the activities of the partisans. Through the history of the village, the study traces the connection between generations, from the defenders of Moscow and Stalingrad to participants in the Special Military Operation. The study employs the historical and comparative-historical methods.
Keywords: Great Patriotic War, struggle against falsification and rewriting of history, Razdzog village, Gusov brothers, Gola Kodzaev, pilots Khazbi Tomaev and Khazret Gusov
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.46.24.001
Pyotr A. Kuzminov, Rasul S. Gurtuev, Aubekir M. Khatukhov
Experience in prospecting and developing mineral resources in the Elbrus region in the 1930s–1950s a case study of the Tyzyl deposit
Abstract. The article analyzes the history of the identification and development of non‑ferrous metal deposits in the Elbrus region. The achievements of all levels of government in achieving the set goal are substantiated. The question is raised about the need to resume this work on a new technological basis, while complying with all environmental requirements for preserving the unique natural landscape of the Elbrus region.
Keywords: The Elbrus region, mineral resources, tungsten‑molybdenum ores, coal, the Tyrnyauz tungsten‑molybdenum plant, the Bylym mine, the Tyzyl mine.
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.96.36.001
Lana K. Khubaeva
Konovalnaya School of the Terek Cossack Host
Abstract. The purpose of this research was to trace the history of the Konovalnaya School, established within the Terek Cossack Host. This research may be of interest to researchers studying the history of the Terek Cossack Host, the history of education, the history of veterinary medicine, and the history of Ossetia and the Caucasus as a whole. This work is based on published sources and data retrieved from documents in the collections of the Central State Archive of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania.
Keywords: school, veterinarian, hospital, Cossacks, host
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.92.12.001
ETHNOLOGY
Tamerlan K. Salbiev
Ossetian traditional dance "erys" ("competition"): restraining entropy
Abstract. An appeal to the ritual-mythological aspect allows us to relate the dance in question to the creation myth. In this case, the dance's semantics are linked to overcoming artificially created entropy. By rising on their toes, the dancers lose the stability provided by standing on the entire foot, and their task is to restore that stability through their own efforts. The circles they perform mark the boundary between chaos and cosmos, both external (the large circle) and internal (the small circle). A comparison with the epic narratives and funeral rites suggests that the competitive element accompanying similar ritualized actions helps return lost life energy to the world and restores the desired stability to the world of the living.
Keywords: Ossetians, tradition, choreography, competition, myth, ritual, epic
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.68.20.001
Leonid V. Gorbatov
S.D. Mainagashev as a researcher of the Khakass worldview
Abstract. This article provides a retrospective analysis of the ethnographic legacy of S.D. Mainagashev, the first Khakass researcher of shamanic beliefs and ritual practices. Based on his published field reports (1913–1914) and polemical articles (1913–1915), the study reconstructs the scholar’s fieldwork methods, systematizes the data he collected on the concepts of the soul (tyn, khut, süna, üzüt), the hierarchy of spirits, and intertribal differences (Sagais, Kachins, Beltirs, Koibals). The ritual of sacrifice to the Sky (Tigir Taji) is described in detail, and funerary customs, beliefs about posthumous retribution, and the multiple deaths of the soul are described. A separate section is devoted to S.D. Mainagashev’s critique of the coercive methods of Christianization. It is shown that Mainagashev’s works constitute a unique source on the intangible cultural heritage of the Khakass people in the early 20th century.
Keywords: S.D. Mainagashev, Khakass, shamanism, sacrifice to the Sky, afterlife, dual faith, critique of missionary activitiy
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.19.95.001
Beslan N. Makoev
Priestly stratum in the western area of the Koban culture of the pre-Scythian and early Scythian periods: zoomorphic ornaments as a sign of sacred status
Abstract. This article examines the priestly stratum in the western area of the Koban archaeological culture of the pre-Scythian and early Scythian periods. Based on an analysis of the burial rites and grave goods from the Nizhny Chegem, Mebel’naya Fabrika, Industriya-1, Lermontovskaya Skala, Narzanny 2, Klin-Yar 3, and Verkhny Kurkuzhin burial grounds, key features of the burials of cult practitioners have been identified. It has been established that zoomorphic jewelry, reflecting the concept of a tripartite worldview, is the main marker of high sacred status. Priests did not constitute a separate caste, but were part of the equestrian aristocracy and foot nobility, combining ritual duties with military and administrative functions. The obtained results clarify the picture of social stratification in Western Koban society and provide grounds for reconsidering established scholarly stereotypes.
Keywords: Western Koban culture, social ranking, priestly nobility, zoomorphic jewelry, funerary goods, Early Iron Age.
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.32.13.001
SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Anatoly V. Loginov
The scales of justice in the traditional culture of the Abkhazians: the path from religious symbol to heraldic emblem of the supreme court and the ministry of justice of the Republic of Abkhazia
Abstract. This article analyzes the symbol of the scales of justice in the traditional culture of the Abkhazians - from the mythological archetype embodied in the legend of the golden "Scales of Justice" of the Ilor Church to the modern use of this image in the heraldic system of the Supreme Court of the Republic of Abkhazia and the Ministry of Justice of the Republic of Abkhazia. Based on historical, ethnographic, and legal sources, the article examines the origins of the image of the scales (the ancient Egyptian judgment of Osiris, the classical Themis, and Christian eschatology) and its adaptation within Abkhazian legal consciousness. Special attention is paid to the legend of the ascension of the "Scales of Justice" as a metaphor for the loss of trust in justice and the devaluation of the institution of oath. The conclusion is drawn that the image of the scales, while retaining its archetypal power, has undergone a transformation from a religious symbol of divine judgment into an emblem of secular judicial authority, preserving at the same time a profound connection with the idea of objective, impartial justice.
Keywords: Scales of Justice, Ilor Church, judicial symbolism, traditional legal consciousness, award system, heraldry
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.21.46.001
Andzor Kh. Sherhov
Results of geoecological monitoring of mudflow risks to the drainage infrastructure of the Tyrnyauz tailings storage facility
Abstract. The purpose of the work is to assess the current state of the complex of hydraulic structures (HSS) of the tailings storage facility of the Tyrnyauz Mining and Processing Plant (TMPP) in the conditions of increasing mudflow load. The initial morphometric parameters of the monitoring objects were obtained from multi-temporal aerial imagery acquired in 2021–2025 using unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), followed by photogrammetric processing. Stability estimates were calculated for the landslide mass in the channel of the open emergency channel, as was its discharge capacity under water, sediment-water, and debris-flow conditions. Progressive vegetation growth on the sediment deposits in front of the entrance portal of the drainage tunnel has been revealed.
Keywords: geoecological monitoring, tailings storage facility, discharge capacity, mudflow, orthophotomap.
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.58.71.001
Zayna Zh. Gergokova
Monitoring the transformation of channel relief under the influence of mudflows using unmanned aerial systems
Abstract. The paper shows the experience of using digital remote sensing methods to quantify the morphometric consequences of a mudflow in a mountain riverbed. Based on multi-temporal UAV aerial surveys of a section of the Nalchik River near the village of Khasanya conducted before and after the event, orthophotomaps and digital terrain models (DTMs) were generated, on the basis of which the volumes of denudation and sediment accumulation were calculated. The volume of material in the area where the highway was destroyed amounted to 4.3 thousand m3, while sediment accumulation upstream of the highway bridge amounted to 4.6 thousand m3. The data obtained were integrated into a calculation database for developing engineering protection measures. The study demonstrates the high efficiency of the method for operational monitoring of mountainous areas at relatively low cost.
Keywords: digital terrain model, orthophoto plan, mudflow, riverbed, morphometry, unmanned aerial vehicle, remote sensing
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.73.60.001
Vyacheslav V. Dzhabiev
Analysis of economic indicators of South Ossetia's industry for 2025 and development prospects
Abstract. This article analyzes the key economic indicators of industrial development in the Republic of South Ossetia over the past five years, based on state statistics and official media. The analytical data presented in the article may provide a basis for a more informed assessment of economic developments and for preparing forecasts and development plans for individual sectors. The author also proposes several measures to improve the collection of statistical information on the Republic's industry and enhance its economic development.
Keywords: analysis, industry, production, statistical indicators, development dynamics, natural indicators, development prospects.
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.68.42.001
Marik O. Marzaev, Alan B. Lolaev
Evaluation of the efficiency of hydro-aerionic industrial gas cleaning
Abstract. The article discusses a fundamentally new method for purifying gases from industrial enterprises using high oxidation-reduction potential of differently charged electrolytes (catholyte and anolyte) of cold, finely dispersed high-pressure fog and an assessment of its application efficiency.
Keywords: gas scrubbing, dust-gas mixture, hydro-aerionic method, efficiency
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.33.22.001
Olga A. Kusraeva
Narrative management system: decentralization of standards, algorithms, and technological solutions
Abstract. The article illustrates how the management of national image has shifted from centralized public diplomacy institutions to a decentralized architecture of influence, wherein technological dominance and algorithmic control replace direct propaganda as the primary tools for shaping global perception. Through a historical analysis of the evolution of communication strategies, the study demonstrates that effective place branding in the digital age relies not on establishing new institutions, but on fostering ecosystems of trust built upon tangible actions, technological sovereignty, and the integration of state interests into corporate platforms. For countries facing challenges related to limited access to global communications, the key takeaway is that the competition for perception today plays out not at the level of content, but at the level of the relevant standards, algorithms, and technological solutions that define the rules of global communication.
Keywords: propaganda, trust ecosystem, technological sovereignty, content, global communication
DOI 10.46698/VNC.2026.68.42.002
ANNIVERSARY, GREETINGS
VSC of RAS congratulates B.R. Khoziev on his 70th birthday
OUR EVENTS.
Results of the XXII Interregional Scientific and Practical conferences "Vladikavkaz Kolmogorov Readings" – 2026
V.S. Abaturova, I.E. Malova, I.G. Chibirova
The XVI Open Summer Mathematics School for mathematics teachers as a platform for implementating an innovative professional development
Review of VSC RAS print publications