Russian Influence Still Lingers in Alaska
Russian Legacy Still Visible in Alaska’s Culture and Communities
ANCHORAGE, ALASKA – On the far northwest edge of North America, just a short distance from Russia, traces of the state’s former colonial ruler remain woven into local life.
Alaska, once a Russian colony, entered the pages of history in 1728 when Danish explorer Vitus Bering sailed through the narrow strait separating Asia and the Americas on a mission for Tsarist Russia. Although Indigenous peoples had lived there for thousands of years, Bering’s voyage opened the region to Russian seal hunting, leading to the first settlement on Kodiak Island.
In 1799, Tsar Paul I established the Russian-American Company to exploit the lucrative fur trade. The industry often sparked conflict with Indigenous communities, and overhunting eventually decimated seal and sea otter populations, crippling the colony’s economy. By 1867, Russia sold the vast territory — more than twice the size of Texas — to the United States for $7.2 million, a deal ridiculed at the time as “Seward’s folly.”
Cultural Footprints
The Russian Orthodox Church, introduced alongside colonial trade, remains one of Alaska’s strongest links to its past. More than 35 coastal churches, many crowned with distinctive onion domes, still stand, and the Orthodox diocese — the oldest in North America — even operates a seminary on Kodiak Island.
Russian influence also touched language. A unique dialect blending Russian and Indigenous tongues lingered for decades in communities near Anchorage but has largely disappeared. Yet, in the southern Kenai Peninsula, Russian is still taught at a small Orthodox school founded by “Old Believers” in the 1960s, serving around 100 students.
Close Neighbors
Alaska’s proximity to Russia famously entered the spotlight in 2008 when then-governor Sarah Palin remarked, “You can see Russia from land here in Alaska.” While mainland views fall short, two islands in the Bering Strait — Little Diomede (US) and Big Diomede (Russia) — sit just 2.5 miles apart.
In October 2022, two Russian nationals landed on St. Lawrence Island, fleeing military mobilization amid the war in Ukraine and requesting asylum in the US. The region also remains a watchpoint for the US military, which routinely intercepts Russian aircraft approaching American airspace.
Despite the historic ties, Moscow has shown no interest in reclaiming Alaska, with President Vladimir Putin quipping in 2014 that the state is “too cold.”
Mutib Khalid is a skilled content writer and digital marketer with a knack for crafting compelling narratives and optimizing digital strategies. Excel in creating engaging content that drives results and enhances online presence. Passionate about blending creativity with data-driven approaches, Mutib Khalid helps brands connect with their audience and achieve their goals.
