Many factors contributed to make the Russian expansion into Central Asia a slow one. The severe climate and terrain conditions did as much to hinder the advance into Central Asia, as did resistance offered by the Khanates and nomadic tribes dominating the region. Vast areas of desert, mountains and swamps restricted avenues of approach into the region. These routes, often following river valleys, were well defended with numerous forts. Other forts controlled various oases and other rare supply points located in the arid areas, which would have to be crossed.

The frontier was a low priority theatre of operations. The Seven Years Wars (mid-1700s), Napoleonic Wars (1790-1815) and The Crimean War (1850s) all helped ensure that the bulk of military’s supplies and manpower would be given to operations in Europe, the Balkans and the Crimea. These all received a higher degree of interest than the frontier. It was not until the 1860s that the lure of conquest and individual career advancement would be centered on actions occurring in Central Asia.

The Russian economic system of serfdom had tied the peasants to the land to such a degree that it prevented many destitute citizens from becoming colonists on the frontier. Colonists up until 1860 were primarily military settlers, penal exiles or royal serfs. While these did a good job at colonizing, their limited numbers prevented any settler explosion such as occurred in North America at the same time.

Prior to 1860, it was not the use of ambush tactics that inflicted severe losses on the Russian columns. The Russians had been facing such tactics against the Turks and Cossacks in the West. It was the shear numbers of mounted warriors that attacked and overwhelmed the small, depleted formations of Russian troops that were often exhausted due to the lack of supplies. After 1860, the Russian troops were now equipped with the quick breach loading rifle. This new weapon made even small Russian detachments capable of inflicting heavy casualties on the Turcomans who still attacked over open terrain in mass formations.

Russia's Manifest Destiny 19th Century Expansion

Introduction
Russian Campaigns During Their Southern and Eastward Expansion: Including Events of their Siberian Advance
Russia’s Oriental Gamble: Notes on the Push to the Pacific
Russia’s Taming of the East: Operations Against the Khanates of Central Asia
Chronology of the Russian Campaigns into Central Asia 1839-1884
Sources
Miniature Castings For the Various Russian Wars