Aleksey Uriev Political figure. Date of Birth: 01.01.1887 Country: Russia

1. Early Life and Education
2. Political Activism in the United States
3. Return to Russia and Arrival in Murmansk
4. "Verbal Agreement" with the Entente
5. Telegram to the Sovnarkom and Foreign Intervention
6. Lenin and Stalin's Intervention
7. Lenin's Ultimatum and Yuryev's Response
8. Proposal for American Military Aid
9. Condemnation and Trial

Early Life and Education

Alexey Mikhailovich Yuryev, also known by the pseudonym "Alexeyev," was born in October 1887 in Kozlov, Tambov Governorate. He studied at a commercial school before emigrating to the United States in 1908.

Political Activism in the United States

In the US, Yuryev became involved in the social-democratic press. He joined the Russian Social Democratic Labor Party (RSDLP) in 1917.

Return to Russia and Arrival in Murmansk

On November 7, 1917, Yuryev arrived in Murmansk as a stoker on the steamship "Vologda." He represented the "Vologda" crew on the Murmansk Soviet and was elected Deputy Chairman of the Soviet's Executive Committee, often standing in for the Chairman.

"Verbal Agreement" with the Entente

Due to limited communication with the central government, the North depended on supplies from Allied forces. The threat of a German-supported invasion by White Finns loomed. On March 2, 1918, Yuryev negotiated a "Verbal Agreement" with Entente representatives for joint action against the "German threat."

Telegram to the Sovnarkom and Foreign Intervention

Yuryev telegraphed the Sovnarkom about the agreement on March 5, referencing a telegram from Leon Trotsky instructing them to "accept any assistance from Allied missions and obstruct all efforts of the predators." On March 6, 14, and 18, British and French troops landed in Murmansk, and Yuryev's policy faced opposition within the local Soviet.

Lenin and Stalin's Intervention

Vladimir Lenin and Joseph Stalin instructed Yuryev to obtain written confirmation from the British and French against a potential occupation. Yuryev's position strengthened after the establishment of the Regional Soviet, which he soon became Chairman of.

Lenin's Ultimatum and Yuryev's Response

On June 6, Lenin and Georgy Chicherin demanded Yuryev cease aiding foreign forces violating neutrality. Yuryev responded with several telegrams, asserting that "anti-Allied policy is impossible for the Regional Soviet."

Proposal for American Military Aid

On June 21, Yuryev proposed to the Main Naval Staff that American military forces be included in the defense of Murmansk. Lenin sent his final telegram on June 26, declaring that Yuryev would be held responsible if he failed to understand the Soviet policy of hostility towards both the British and Germans.

Condemnation and Trial

On July 2, Lenin and Trotsky denounced Yuryev as an "enemy of the people" in the newspaper "Izvestia VTsIK." Yuryev remained Chairman of the Regional Soviet until it was dissolved by foreign interventionists in September 1918. He later worked as a translator. In February 1920, he was sentenced to death for the "criminal surrender" of Murmansk, but his sentence was later reduced to 10 years in prison. He was released early in January 1922. His fate after that remains unknown.