The study is devoted to the role of the national elite in the revolutionary events of 1917, the civil war and the formation of Soviet power. The role of representatives of national elites in the 1917 revolution was complex and ambiguous, reflecting the diversity of their interests in the context of the collapse of the Russian Empire and the formation of a new political order. The local nobility and intelligentsia sought to adapt to the changes caused by the revolution. They tried to maintain their positions and influence in the new political realities, often supporting the Interim Govern-ment or participating in national movements. The biography of Batyrbek Abukov shows the social mobility of the Kabardian traditional elite and its high degree of adaptation to the events taking place. The 1917 Revolution opened up opportunities for national movements that advocated the au-tonomy or independence of their regions. Representatives of the elites, such as Bashirbek Abukov, actively participated in the creation of national councils and self-governing bodies, seeking to pro-tect the interests of their peoples. Many representatives of the traditional elite faced a difficult choice: whether to support the Bolsheviks, who advocated radical social transformations, or to remain faithful to their former ideals. Some, like Abukov, initially opposed the Bolsheviks, but later switched sides, seeing them as a force capable of ensuring stability. The article presents lit-tle-known facts about B. Abukov's involvement in the revolutionary events in the Caucasus. Con-siderable attention is paid to B. Abukov's participation in the establishment of Soviet power in Persia and other significant episodes of Soviet history in the 20-30s of the XX century. After the establishment of Soviet power, many representatives of national elites, despite their contribution to the revolution, became victims of repression. Their past, connections with pre-revolutionary structures, or participation in national movements were often seen as a threat to the new government. Based on the ideographic (narrative) method of research, the reconstruction of Batyrbek Abukov's life path was performed, making it possible to trace the evolution of his views and his role in key events of Soviet history.