Did the Russian empire have slaves?

Yes, the Russian Empire did have slaves, although the institution was somewhat different from chattel slavery seen in other parts of the world. The primary form of servitude was through serfdom, where peasants were bound to the land and required to work for landowners. While serfdom was not slavery in the strictest sense, it imposed severe restrictions on the peasants' freedom, akin to a form of slavery. The practice of serfdom was officially abolished in 1861, marking a significant shift in Russian society.