Strateški interesi Rusije u Rusko-austrijsko-turskom ratu (1735-1739) prema francuskim obaveštajnim izvorima

Abstract

This paper is an analysis of the Russian strategic interests during the Austro-Russian-Turkish war (1735-1737) and is based on unpublished sources of French origin. The reports which Colonel Jean-Jacques de Beausobre (1704-1783) compiled as a direct witness of the conflict are of key importance in the study of this subject and to date have not been given the attention they deserve. Having chosen a military career, de Beausobre distinguished himself as a man with deep knowledge of the theory of war. For this reason, he was engaged in observing the conflict, sending regular reports to the French government. De Beausobre was posted as French military attaché to the Austrian army, spending much time in the Austrian General Staff. From this position he was able to collect intelligence, which he then dispatched to the French Ambassador in Vienna. Occasionally, he would even personally visit the Austrian capital and Paris in order to convey the information he had gathered. The intelligence mission of Colonel De Beausobre shows the great interest France had for the outcome of the war and the country's intention to position itself favorably in European diplomacy at the time. From De Beausobre's reports it is possible to see that he was able to see through Russian strategic interests in the war and his activities proved of great value for French diplomacy, which achieved great success at the Belgrade peace talks.