East European History, 2016, Vol. (3), Is. 1 13 Copyright © 2016 by Academic Publishing House Researcher Published in the Russian Federation East European History Has been issued since 2015. E-ISSN: 2500-1310 Vol. 3, Is. 1, pp. 13-18, 2016 DOI: 10.13187/eeh.2016.3.13 www.ejournal49.com To the Issue of the Use of Aeronautical Ships by Russia in the Russian-Japanese War of 1904–1905 (on the Material of the Journal «Chronicle of the War with Japan») Vasiliy V. Frolov a , * a Pskov State University, Pskov, Russian Federation Abstract In the present article we discuss the features of the use of aeronautical forces of the Russian Empire during the Russian-Japanese War of 1904–1905. This topic is at the present time point studied enough yet unexplored and has a number of gaps. Particular attention in the work of the author pays technical features (specifications) Russian balloons and balloons beginning of the XX century. The sources for the preparation of articles became warlike materials illustrated magazine «Chronicle of the war with Japan». In order to solve research problems the author uses the scientific methods such as analysis and synthesis, generalization and concretization. In addition, we used the historical-situational method, which involves the study of historical facts in the context of the studied historical period (epoch), in conjunction with the «neighboring» events. This work can be useful and interesting to all those who are interested in how the history of Russian-Japanese War of 1904–1905, and a history of domestic journalism. Keywords: Russian-Japanese war; aeronautics; aeronautic ship; balloon; military intelligence; Russian pre-revolutionary journalism; the journal «Chronicle of the war with Japan». 1. Introduction Over 110 years ago, in August 23, 1905 the Peace Treaty between Japan and Russia was signed in Portsmouth, USA. That marked the official end of the Russo-Japanese war of 1904–1905. This war was not just a painful slap to the face for the Russian Empire, but the proof of the ineffectiveness of all its Government. However, this political-military conflict proved to be significant for the air force of our country: Russia started using its aeronautic ships during the Russo-Japanese war against the enemy. 2. Materials and methods 2.1. The Information about the events of the Russo-Japanese war was received by Russian Empire citizens from various sources, mainly from the pro-Government press. A military edition "Chronicle of the War with Japan" was one of these information sources about the war events in the Far East of Russia. This weekly journal was published throughout the war. Totally, 84 issues of the "Chronicle" were released. The main editor was Colonel (later Major-General) D.N. Dubenskiy. The journal was printed in St. Petersburg by the art typography "Partnership of R. Golike and A. Vil′borg" (Frolov, 2016: 1181). Precisely the content of "Chronicle of the War with Japan" will be * Corresponding author E-mail addresses: frolov1406@mail.ru (V.V. Frolov)