THE POLICY OF THE RUSSIAN STATE REGARDING THE ARMS SUPPLY OF SIBERIAN DISTRICTS IN THE 17<sup>th</sup> CENTURY
The Russian government supplied arms to the servicemen and peasants of Siberia for protection against attacks by nomads. Tobolsk manufactured cannons and other firearms and had massive arms stockpiles for distribution to another Siberian centers. Siberian authorities encouraged the spread of firearms among the Russian population and personally distributed weapons at the emperor’s expense. Peter I adopted the policy of arming the entire male Russian population of southern Siberia.