In the 17th century the Dzungar Khanate, formed by the Mongol Oirat people, became Russia's southern neighbor, and controlled the upper Irtysh. As a result of Russia's confrontation with the Dzungars in the Peter the Great's era, the Russians founded the cities of Omsk in 1716, Semipalatinsk in 1718, Ust-Kamenogorsk in 1720, and Petropavlovsk in 1752.
in the 17tH cEnTury THe DzUngaR KHanAtE, forMEd by THe MonGoL OirAt peOPlE, bEcaMe rUSsIa'S SOUthErn nEighbOr, AND controlLeD THe uPPeR IrtysH. As a REsult oF russia'S cOnfronTaTion wIth the dzunGars in the pEteR the gReaT'S erA, the RuSSIAns fOunded the citieS of omSK In 1716, seMiPalatiNsk iN 1718, usT-kameNOgOrsk IN 1720, and petropavLovsK in 1752.