Özet:

Raids have been organized along the border since the earliest times, sometimes take place within the framework of states' enlargement policy or war strategy; sometimes independent of state administration. In this context, the Don Cossacks, which were part of Moscow’s border defense system, raided the borders of the Crimean Khanate and the Ottoman lands on the Azov Sea and the Black Sea. The Azov Fortress, which was located on the north-eastern border of the Ottoman lands, has been the main point of attack of the Don Cossacks’ raids, in particular. This is directly related to the meaning of the Azov region for the Russians and the Don Cossacks. The research of Don Cossack attacks affecting the Ottoman-Russian relations is important for understanding the military and political events in the north of the Ottoman territory. This paper will focus on Don Cossack raids in and around Azov until the mid-seventh century and Ottoman-Russian relations during these raids. At the same time, the effect of Don Cossacks’ attacks in the Azov region on the formation of Russia’s Black Sea policy will be tried to be determined.