The subject of the study is the transportation support for the activities of the All-Russian Zemstvo Union and the Russian Red Cross Society provided by the leading railways in Southern Russia during the First World War. The research examines the practical implementation of the defense tasks of these two leading public organizations in Russia during the war from 1914 to 1918, based on a wide range of archival documents (mostly unpublished), in terms of the transportation support for their everyday activities by the leading railways of Southern Russia. The titanic efforts of the Southwestern, Southern, and Ekaterinburg railways in supporting public associations as a new significant area of activity arising from military needs are illustrated with specific figures and facts. The cooperation between the army, society, and transportation authorities during the period of 1914 to 1918 is clearly traced. General scientific methods employed in the article include analysis, comparison, and description. Historical methods encompass chronological and retrospective approaches. Additionally, events are considered in a specific historical context, taking into account the realities of the past. This has allowed for a comprehensive examination and exploration of the chosen topic throughout the research. The novelty of the study lies in the active introduction of archival materials and information from rare printed publications (departmental journals of the Ministry of Railways) into scientific circulation. Furthermore, the article emphasizes the work of the railway transport of Southern Russia in supporting the operations of the All-Russian Zemstvo Union and the Russian Red Cross Society in the armies of the Southwestern and Romanian fronts, as well as in the adjacent rear areas. The results obtained allow us to state the high effectiveness of the interaction between the leading railroads of the region (Southwestern, Southern, Ekaterinburg) and the territorial bodies of both the zemstvos and the Russian Red Cross Society. Despite the objective military difficulties, most of the tasks set (the process of evacuating property and refugees, sanitary support for the front and rear, etc.) were successfully implemented; even the revolutionary upheavals of 1917–1918 could not hinder this. The significant role of Southern Russia as an important strategic and geopolitical area of the country is demonstrated.
Толокнев Иван Валериевич (Sun,) studied this question.