The article examines the causes, manifestations and typical features of collaboration in the North Caucasus during the Great Patriotic war. The author, basing on archival documents, scientific works of Russian and foreign scientists, analyses the origins of this phenomenon, shows the spread of collaboration, characterizes its participants. It is emphasized that the German occupation authorities have developed and then systematically implemented special policies among the peoples of the North Caucasus to attract them on the side of Germany. At the same time Nazis policy by the end of the battle for the Caucasus in the autumn of 1943.