Who was the first Russian to set foot on hot African soil? Who were these people and what made many of them leave their homes and settle permanently on the African continent? For some, a trip to Africa was common: artists went on tour, artists went on sketches, archaeologists went on an expedition. But after the 1917 revolution, they did not go to Africa, but fled. Most of the Russians who got there were expelled not only from Russia, but also from Europe. Russian Africans, or African Russians, many of whom at different times have earned respect and fame in their host country, will be discussed in this book.