On July 14, 1500, the Russian army defeated the Lithuanian troops in the battle on the Vedrosh River. This battle became the pinnacle of the Russian-Lithuanian War of 1500-1503. The Russians destroyed or captured most of the enemy army. The Lithuanians lost their strategic initiative and were defeated in the war.
Moscow made a profitable peace with Lithuania, occupying almost a third of the possessions of the Lithuanian principality, including the old Russian Severshchina.
Struggle between two Russian centers
During the period of feudal fragmentation, the collapse of the ancient empire of Rurik, there was no single Russian state. Kiev, Ryazan, Moscow, Novgorod, Pskov and other principalities and lands lived on their own, as independent powers. The neighbors took advantage of this. A significant part of the southwestern and western Russian lands were captured by Hungary, Poland and Lithuania. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania included the lands of Lesser, Black and White Rus, Bryansk, Smolensk and other lands of Rus.
At the same time, the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and Russia was a real Russian state, a competitor to Moscow in the unification of Russian lands. The principality was ruled by Lithuanian princes. However, the overwhelming majority of the land and population were Russian. A significant part of the elite was Russian in origin. The state and written language was Russian. The Lithuanian language was spoken only among the lower class of the population of ethnic Lithuania, although gradually the Lithuanians themselves switched to Russian (as a more developed language). In addition, the Lithuanians barely (historically) separated from the Balto-Slavic ethno-linguistic community, until recently they worshiped Perun and Veles, the gods united with the Russians. That is, the Russians and Lithuanians until recently were one people, with a common spiritual and material culture. And within the framework of a single power, they could again become one people.
Lithuania was a powerful military power. From the Horde, a significant part of its border was covered by other Russian lands. There was serious economic potential. The Grand Duchy had a good chance to lead the process of unification of all or most of the Russian lands. However, the Lithuanian elite could not use this opportunity. The Lithuanian elite gradually followed the path of Westernization, Polonization and Catholicization. The gentry estate (boyars) became polized, and the peasant communities were enslaved according to the Polish model, turned into slaves-slaves. This caused a deep rift between the elite and the people. As a result, Moscow, initially weaker in military-economic terms and in terms of human resources, the Russian state, took up and became the center of the unification of the Russian land (Russian world-civilization).
The situation before the war
During the reign of Ivan III Vasilievich (1462-1505), Moscow went on the offensive. The stage of "gathering Russian lands" began. Ivan strengthened allied relations with Tver, Ryazan and Pskov. The Yaroslavl, Dmitrov and Rostov principalities lost their independence. Many princes became "servants" subordinate to the grand duke. Moscow crushed the Novgorod veche republic. In 1478 Novgorod surrendered, its "independent" order was abolished. Mastering the North, Moscow subdued Perm, Ugra and Vyatka. Ivan the Great challenged the Horde, which decayed and was in a period of collapse. In fact, Moscow was already completely independent and paid tribute according to the old tradition. In 1480, this tradition was also abolished. The previously powerful Horde quickly collapsed, and Moscow began to pursue an offensive policy in the east and south, becoming the new center of the new Eurasian (northern) empire.
The most important instrument of the active and successful policy of Moscow was the army, which underwent significant changes. A local army was created - a large noble militia. Large-scale military production has been established, including a cannon foundry. The increased military potential, due to the political and economic strengthening of the state and the actions of the sovereign, made it possible to successfully repel the raids and invasions of hordes on the southeastern borders, exert political influence on Kazan, Crimea and other fragments of the Horde, expand possessions in the northeast, and successfully fight against The Grand Duchy of Lithuania, the Livonian Order and Sweden for the restoration of our natural borders in the north, north-west and west.
It is clear that Moscow's desire to "collect land" met with resistance from Lithuania. Moscow thwarted attempts by the Novgorodians to come under the rule of the Grand Duchy. In 1480, the Horde entered into an alliance with Lithuania, directed against Moscow. In turn, Moscow was "friends" with the Crimean Khanate against Lithuania. Part of the nobility of the Grand Duchy begins to look towards the Moscow sovereign, to go over to the side of Moscow. Skirmishes at the border become constant. They were caused by border-territorial disputes. Moscow did not recognize Lithuania's right to own the cities of Kozelsk, Serenskoe and Khlepnem, and sought to subjugate the Verkhovian princes, who came under the rule of the Lithuanian prince under Vasily II. After the subordination of Veliky Novgorod, another controversial issue arose - about the "Rzhev tribute". Moscow troops occupy a number of border volosts, which were originally in joint Moscow-Lithuanian (or Novgorod-Lithuanian) possession. This is how the Russian-Lithuanian war of 1487-1494 began, the "strange war" (officially, both powers were at peace throughout the conflict).
In the world of 1494, most of the lands occupied by Russian troops were part of the state of Ivan the Great. Including the strategically important fortress Vyazma. Lithuania returned to the cities of Lyubutsk, Mezetsk, Mtsensk and some others. The Grand Duchy refused to claim the "Rzhev tribute". Also, the consent of the Russian sovereign was obtained for the marriage of his daughter Elena with the Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander. In addition, it was forbidden to accept fugitive service princes along with estates.
The reason for a new war
The treaty of 1494 was considered by both parties to be temporary. The Lithuanian government was eager for revenge. Moscow, seeing the weakness of the enemy, planned to continue the struggle for the return of the "Grand Duchy of Kiev". The western border was still not precise, which created a source of new border disputes and conflicts that continued until the new war.
In 1497, the war between Moscow and Sweden ended, the peace was concluded at the right time. A new war with Lithuania is brewing. Angered by the desire to convert his daughter Elena to Catholicism, the Moscow sovereign again begins to recruit princes who have left the Lithuanian service. In April 1500, Semyon Belsky, Vasily Shemyachich and Semyon Mozhaisky, who owned huge estates on the eastern outskirts of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania with the cities of Belaya, Novgorod-Seversky, Rylsk, Radogoshch, Starodub, Gomel, Chernigov, Karachev, Hotiml, passed under the rule of Moscow. The war became inevitable.
On the eve of the war, the Grand Duke of Lithuania Alexander Kazimirovich took a number of steps to consolidate his military and political position. In July 1499, the Gorodel Union was concluded between the Grand Duchy and Poland. Also, Lithuania's ties with Livonia and the Great Horde (Sheikh-Akhmet Khan) were strengthened. However, neither Poland, nor Livonia, nor the Great Horde were able to provide immediate military assistance to Lithuania.
Defeat of Lithuania
Taking advantage of the favorable foreign policy situation, the great Moscow sovereign began the war. The Russian army acted according to a premeditated plan. On the eve of the war, three armies were formed: on the Toropetsky, Smolensk and Novgorod-Seversky directions. Also, part of the army was in reserve to provide assistance to the army where the main enemy forces would be found.
On May 3, 1500, a host under the command of the exiled Kazan Khan Muhammad-Emin and Yakov Zakharyich (Koshkin-Zakharyin), who served Ivan the Great, set out from Moscow to the Lithuanian border. The Russian army captured Mtsensk, Serpeisk, Bryansk, and together with the troops of Semyon Mozhaisky and Vasily Shemyachich, in August took Putivl.
In other directions, the Russian offensive was also successful. The army made up of Novgorodians under the command of the governor Andrei Chelyadnin, reinforced by the regiments of the appanage princes Volotsky, took possession of Toropets. Another army under the command of the voivode Yuri Zakharyich (the brother of Yakov Zakharyich) captured Dorogobuzh. There was a threat of the exit of the Moscow army to Smolensk. The successful offensive of the Russian army alarmed Alexander Kazimirovich and his entourage. A hasty mobilization was carried out, a Lithuanian counteroffensive was expected from Smolensk to Dorogobuzh. An army under the command of an experienced voivode Daniil Shchenya was urgently transferred to Dorogobuzh from the Tver region. He joined up with the detachment of Yuri Zakharyich and took command over the entire army. Its number reached 40 thousand fighters.
As subsequent events showed, the decision to move a reserve under the command of one of the best generals of Russia near Dorogobuzh was correct. A 40,000-strong Lithuanian army under the command of the hetman of the Lithuanian prince Konstantin Ostrozhsky moved from Smolensk through Yelnya. The estimate of the number of troops of each of the sides at 40 thousand soldiers seems to be overestimated to one degree or another, but on the whole the forces of the sides were approximately equal. Both armies met in the area of the Trosna, Vedrosha and Selchanka rivers. On July 14, 1500, a decisive battle took place between them, which became the main event of the entire war.
Before the battle, the Russian army was stationed in its camp on Mitkovo Pole, 5 km west of Dorogobuzh, across the Vedrosh River. The only crossing in these places was thrown over the Bucket. Reconnaissance reported on the enemy's approach in time. The Russian commanders, without deliberately destroying the bridge, prepared the troops for battle. The main forces were the Great Scheni Regiment. The right flank was covered by the Dnieper, in the area where the river flows into it. Rope, left - closed by a large, impenetrable forest. An ambush regiment was deployed in the forest - the Guard Regiment of Yuri Zakharyich. On the western bank of Vedrosha, an advanced detachment was put forward, which was supposed to engage in battle and lure the enemy to the other side, where our main forces were awaiting him.
Unlike the Moscow governors, hetman Ostrozhsky went to the place of the future battle without full information about the enemy. He had rough information about prisoners and defectors. And he believed that only a small Russian army was standing in front of him. Therefore, the Lithuanians immediately overturned the advanced regiment of the Russians and crossed the river, where they cut into the ranks of the Big Regiment. The stubborn battle lasted for several hours. Its outcome was decided by the strike of the Ambush Regiment. Russian troops went to the rear of the Lithuanians, destroyed the bridge and cut off the path to retreat. After that, the beating of the fallen enemy began. Only killed Lithuanians lost about 8 thousand people. Many drowned while fleeing or were captured, including the hetman of Ostrog and other governors. All the enemy's artillery and baggage train also became Russian trophies.
War with Livonia
In the battle on the river Vedrosh, the main and most efficient forces of the Lithuanian army were destroyed and captured. The Grand Duchy lost its offensive capabilities and went over to the defensive. Only the aggravation of the situation on the other borders of the Russian state saved Lithuania from further defeats.
The Russian victories alarmed other opponents of Moscow. Most of all, the Livonians feared, who decided to side with the Grand Duchy. In the spring of 1501, Russian merchants were arrested in Dorpat-Yuryev, their goods were plundered. The Pskov ambassadors sent to Livonia were detained. In June 1501, the military alliance of Lithuania and Livonia was signed. Skirmishes began on the northwestern border. In August 1501, the army of the Livonian master Walter von Plettenberg began an invasion of the lands of Pskov. On August 27, the Livonians defeated the Russian army (regiments from Novgorod, Pskov and Tver) on the Seritsa River.
The Livonians besieged Izborsk, but could not take it on the move. Then the Order army moved to Pskov. On September 7, the Livonians laid siege to the small fortress of Ostrov. On the night of September 8, a night assault began, during the battle the entire population of the town was killed - 4 thousand people. However, having taken the fortress, the Livonians were unable to build on the first successes and hastily retreated to their territory. An epidemic began in the army. The master himself fell ill. In addition, the Livonian command did not dare to continue the offensive in the face of stubborn Russian resistance and the lack of support from the Lithuanians. Grand Duke Alexander promised the master help in the offensive on Pskov, but he allocated only a small detachment, and he was late. The fact was that King Jan Olbracht (brother of Grand Duke Alexander) died in Poland, and Alexander left for the Diet, where a new monarch was elected. Alexander Kazimirovich was elected the new Polish king.
Moscow skillfully took advantage of the inconsistency in the actions of its opponents and in the fall of 1501 retaliated against Livonia. A large army under the command of Daniil Shchenya and Alexander Obolensky was advanced to the northwestern borders of Russia. It also included the Tatar detachments of Khan Muhammad-Emin. The Grand Duke's army united with the Pskovites and invaded Livonia. The eastern lands of the Order, especially the possessions of the Dorpat bishopric, were severely devastated. The master counterattacked in the Dorpat area. At first, thanks to the factor of surprise, the Livonians pushed the Russians out, and Voivode Obolensky died. But then the Russians and Tatars came to their senses and went on the offensive, the order's army suffered a crushing defeat. The pursuit and beating of the fleeing Livonian soldiers continued for about 10 miles. The fighting core of the Livonian army was destroyed.
In the winter of 1501-1502. army Shchenya again made a campaign in Livonia, in the direction of Revel-Kolyvan. Livonia was once again severely devastated. Mobilizing new forces in the spring of 1502, the Livonians again went on the offensive. One German detachment attacked Ivangorod, the other a small Pskov fortress, Krasny Gorodok. Both attacks of the Livonians failed, the enemy hastily retreated. In the fall of 1502, at the height of the siege of Smolensk launched by the Russian troops, the Livonians launched another offensive against Pskov to help the Lithuanians. Master Plettenberg laid siege to Izborsk. The assault on Izborsk failed, then the Germans marched to Pskov. Attempts to destroy the walls with artillery failed. Having learned about the approach of Russian troops from Novgorod, they were led by the governors Shchenya and Shuisky, the Germans hastily retreated to their territory.
In the fight against Moscow, in addition to Livonia, the last khan of the Great Horde Sheikh-Ahmed also rendered assistance to the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. In the fall of 1501, his troops attacked the Seversk land, ravaged Rylsk and Novgorod-Seversky, and ravaged the vicinity of Starodub. Separate detachments reached Bryansk. This diverted some of the forces of the great Moscow sovereign.
Return of Severshchina
Despite the support of Livonia and the Great Horde, Lithuania lost the war. Already in the fall of 1501, the Moscow governors launched a new offensive deep into Lithuanian territory. In November, Russian troops defeated the Lithuanians in the Mstislavl region. Lithuanians lost about 7 thousand people. True, it was not possible to take Mstislavl itself. At this time, the Tatars of the Great Horde attacked Severshchina. These were the estates of Vasily Shemyachich and Semyon Mozhaisky, and they rushed to defend their possessions. Meanwhile, the troops of Sheikh-Ahmed were attacked by the Crimean horde, and they were defeated. The Great Horde has fallen.
In the summer of 1502, Russian troops tried to take Smolensk, but without success. After that, the Russian governors changed their tactics. They no longer sought to besiege fortresses, but simply devastated the Lithuanian lands. Lithuania, unable to continue the war, like Livonia, asked for peace. On March 25, 1503, the Annunciation Armistice was concluded for a period of six years. 19 cities, including Chernigov, Starodub, Putivl, Rylsk, Novgorod-Seversky, Gomel, Lyubech, Pochep, Trubchevsk, Bryansk, Mtsensk, Serpeysk, Mosalsk, Dorogobuzh, Toropets and others, were seized by the Russian state. The Grand Duchy of Lithuania also lost 70 volosts. 22 settlements and 13 villages, that is, about a third of its territory.
This was a great success of Russian arms and diplomacy in the collection of Russian lands. Russia also received military-strategic positions: the new border passed in an area about 50 km from Kiev and 100 km from Smolensk. The resumption of the struggle for the creation of a unified Russian state was inevitable. Tsar Ivan the Great himself was aware of this and was preparing for the return of all "his fatherland, the entire Russian land", including Kiev.
