Russian Rise is an alternative history, in which the point of divergence is that the Russian general Mikhail Skobelev does not die of a heart attack in 1882. This leads to him eventually being appointed as commander of Russian forces in East Asia, which results in the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905 ending with a peace agreement as in OTL, but instead on Russian terms. Skobelev's success and subsequent popularity result in him being appointed as the Imperial Minister of War in March 1909. He makes drastic changes to the Army and Navy and plays an essential role in founding the Air Service. This leads to a very different Great War, and a very, very different world.