The Russian Empire had a long rivalry with England in Central Asia. Now, the metropolis is arguing with China about the border issue, the "Ili problem", and this process has lasted for more than ten years. Although a number of works on this problem have been carried out in Russian and foreign historiography, it is appropriate to study this issue in detail in the historiography of the Motherland. By 1870, the situation on the borders of Yettisuv province, which belongs to the general governorship of Turkestan, becomes more tense. In fact, the border regions belonging to the Chinese Empire had by this time been practically not subject to China, and the Taranchi Sultanate of the Uyghurs had emerged in this area. Residents of Gulja carried out constant looting of Yettisuv areas. Such a situation worries not only the administration of the Turkestan General Governorate, but also the higher ruling circles. On the other hand, Yakubbek's political position will strengthen in Kashgar, and there will be a mood to unite with the people of Gulja. In turn, Yakubbek's occupation of the southern parts of the Muzort pass and the city of Turfon, opening the way for Gulja, and his support by the British and Turkish sultans created a real danger on the borders of the Russian Empire.