Russia and the Ottoman Empire had repeatedly fought each other, and Ushakov had already won victories against the power that now became his ally. British financial support and diplomacy helped bring them into a defensive alliance with secret clauses. Royal Navy officers serving with both navies encouraged cooperation. A British captain offered beach reconnaissance and local charting to help the Corfu operation, hoping the allied forces would then help attack French positions of greater British interest. The alliance lasted from 1799 to 1806, after which Russia and the Ottomans returned to war.
Chapter · 37:38-43:58
An unlikely Russo-Ottoman naval alliance
Britain helped bring Russia and the Ottoman Empire into a coalition despite their recent wars and mutual distrust.