russia considers itself the heir of byzantium, considered it its duty to restore the cross on hagia sophia, the main temple of constantinople, which the turks turned into a mosque. the russian empire has long sought to take control of the straits by 12 ottoman warriors, which russia led took a total of 241 years. but the western powers, first of all, great britain feared the strengthening of russia. they entered into military alliances with the ottoman empire, put ultimatums to the russian authorities, resorted to diplomatic pressure. only during world war i did england and france recognize russia's right to constantinople and the straits. now that right had to be reclaimed. the radical position was divided in their views on the war by supporters. lenin was in the minority, many of the revolutionaries sympathized with the defeat of the russian army, as well as those residents of the country who were under german occupation. after all, the territory of the country is not only square kilometers of land, but also the people on it, living russian industry. i was able to overcome difficulties w

reporter: the hagia sophia is one of istanbul's most important tourist attractions. now, russian vacationers are still visiting the city. last year, some 4.5 million russian tourists came to turkey, more than from any other country. but turkish hotel and restaurant owners expect that will change in the coming months, largely due to the economic sanctions imposed on russia. ismail: the russians keep our country going, around the aegean sea and in istanbul. they fill up our hotels. if they don't come, people will have a hard time. reporter: economists agree that the number of russian tourists will decline. that will be a bitter blow for turkey, which is already struggling economically. mustafa: with the value of the ruble falling, russians will find it expensive to travel abroad because they need more rubles to buy foreign currency. and there will be a significant loss of wealth, so some russians will no longer travel. reporter: putin's war of aggression against ukraine is putting pressure on recep tayyip erdogan. as the president of a nato country, he must comply with

reporter: the hagia sophia is one of istanbul's most important tourist attractions.now, russian vacationers are still visiting the city. last year, some 4.5 million russian tourists came to turkey, more than from any other country. but turkish hotel and restaurant owners expect that will change in the coming months, largely due to the economic sanctions imposed on russia. ismail: the russians keep our country going, around the aegean sea and in istanbul. they fill up our hotels. if they don't come, people will have a hard time. reporter: economists agree that the number of russian tourists will decline. that will be a bitter blow for turkey, which is already struggling economically. mustafa: with the value of the ruble falling, russians will find it expensive to travel abroad because they need more rubles to buy foreign currency. and there will be a significant loss of wealth, so some russians will no longer travel. reporter: putin's war of aggression against ukraine is putting pressure on recep tayyip erdogan. as the president of a nato country, he must comply with