The Mad Baron who tried to resurrect the Mongol Empire in the twentieth century

Ideas & Philosophy · Published 30 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Roman von Ungern-Sternberg was a Baltic German aristocrat who became a brutal warlord in the Russian Civil War. Driven by occult beliefs and a fanatical devotion to monarchy, he led a cavalry division into Mongolia, expelled Chinese occupying forces, and briefly restored the Bogd Khan to the throne in 1921.

Born in 1886 to a noble Baltic German family, Ungern-Sternberg grew up with a deep-seated contempt for the working classes and a romanticized view of ancient aristocracy. His early life was marked by extreme volatility; he was a notorious bully who tortured animals and was eventually withdrawn from school in 1905 due to his unruly behavior. Despite his erratic nature, he identified strongly with the Russian Empire and served as an officer in various Cossack regiments, where he became fascinated by the nomadic cultures of Asia.

Following the 1917 Russian Revolution, Ungern-Sternberg joined the White Army, vowing to restore the Romanov monarchy. He operated primarily in the Transbaikal region alongside Grigory Semyonov, though he frequently acted independently. Unlike other White leaders who sought a unified Russia, Ungern-Sternberg believed monarchs were accountable only to God. His personal life became increasingly ascetic as he delved into Buddhism, yet his military command was defined by extreme violence. He established a fortress in Dauria that became a notorious center for executions, earning him the moniker 'the Bloody Baron.'

In 1920, Ungern-Sternberg broke with Semyonov and led his Asiatic Cavalry Division into Outer Mongolia. After initial failures, he successfully captured the capital, Ikh Khüree, in February 1921 by using psychological warfare—lighting campfires in the hills to simulate a massive army—and brutal close-quarters combat. He restored the Bogd Khan to power, effectively ruling through fear and intimidation. However, his attempt to launch a campaign against Bolshevik forces in Siberia led to his swift defeat. He was captured by the Red Army and executed in September 1921 following a brief show trial in Novonikolayevsk.

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