In 1725, Tsar Peter I sent the Danish sailor Vitus Bering to the far east in order to observe if there was a land connection between Asia and North America. His activity, acting under Russian orders, was associated with St. Petersburg’s growing interest in Alaska. Firstly, the focus was on research expeditions, and in the 80s the first Russian colonies were established there. However, it soon turned out that Alaska is an area that brings Russia more problems than profits. Insufficient financial resources and too little military involvement in the North Pacific area did not allow for much.