This paper provides an analysis of the changes in the image of the Russian soldier during the Crimean war and the Russian-Turkish War (1877—1878) on the pages of the British press. Describing the participation of the Russian army in these military campaigns, British journalists have always paid attention to the personal qualities of soldiers and officers, their literacy, living conditions, quality of food, as well as the attitude to the wounded and prisoners of war. The current national interests of the UK were the main vector of the evaluation. The most balanced position had “The Times”. The position of the majority of regional newspapers had conjuncture trend: when the actions of the Russian army were not in accordance with the geopolitical interests of Britain the journalists wrote in negative style about Russian soldier. However a neutral characteristic of the Russian soldier was given, when there were no threats to the national interests of the UK.