Some cities in Central Asia were founded by Russians in the 19th century, when Russia's interests spread far to the east. In the mid-19th century, the Aral and Caspian territories were developed, where residential houses, hospitals, schools, and theaters were built. In the 1880s, the Russians reached the borders of Afghanistan. Local tribes voluntarily accepted Russian citizenship, which caused concern among the British. The Pendé oasis became a point of contention. British diplomats began to incite the Afghan emir to take active measures. Gathering a thousand warriors, the Afghans crossed the border with the intention of capturing Pendé. The Russian command was ordered not to fire first. However, General Alexander Komarov decided to act cunningly: he arranged the troops in battle order and ordered them to advance on the enemy with fixed bayonets, but without firing. The Russians launched a psychological attack, and soon the Afghans could not withstand it; someone among them fired. This became a reason for active measures. Russian soldiers shouted, 'They fired first,' and went on the offensive. The Afghans could not withstand the pressure and fled, allowing the oasis to be defended. British diplomats intervened, calling for a naval blockade of Russia. However, Afghan Emir Abdur Rahman saved the situation by telling the British, 'It was a minor skirmish, why start a war over this?' He renounced claims to Pendé, and Russia promised not to interfere in border disputes with Afghanistan and recognized British protectorate. In 1890, the Kushka fortress was established in these lands, becoming the southernmost city of the Russian Empire. In 1992, the Supreme Council of Turkmenistan renamed Kushka to Serhetabad.