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Inspired by
https://www.alternatehistory.com/discussion/showthread.php?t=212187

Russia always craved having warm waters access... but never could completely fulfill this dream. Let's say they content themselves with some colonial shopping, and while still blocked south on loand by Qing China, they embark (literally) in a Western Pacific adventure. Leaving apart mysterious and closed Japan, they have a deal with the French for supporting each other in an area up to then territory of British, Dutch and Spanish interests only. The French go on conquering Indochina, whereas the Russians, still sore about their loss in the Crimean conflict, wage war upon Spain, to no serious objection of anyone, and grab the Philippines around 1860. A few years later they sell unprofitable Alaska as per OTL.
How long could they remain in the archipelago? And what the consequences of them being in control of such an alien land, furthermore strongly by now mostly strongly Catholic?
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