Siege of Smolensk (1613–1617) explained

Conflict:Siege of Smolensk(1613-1617)
Place:Smolensk
Coordinates:54.7833°N 35°W
Partof:the Polish–Muscovite War (1605–1618)
Date:August 1613 – May 1617
Result:Polish-Lithuanian victory
Combatant1:Tsardom of Russia
Combatant2:Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth
Commander1:Dmitry Cherkassky
Ivan Khovansky
Commander2:Alexander Gonsevsky
Alexander Lisovsky
Strength1:Up to 12,000 (the largest number)
5,000–6,000 (average number)
Strength2:Up to 2,000 (garrison)
Up to 2,500 (troops outside the fortress)
Casualties1:Light
Casualties2:Light

The siege of Smolensk (1613–1617) is an episode of the Polish–Muscovite War (1605–1618).

Prelude

After the tactical victory in the Battle of Moscow (1612), the Russian government made an attempt to repulse the Poles from the strategically important fortress of Smolensk. Russian troops without a fight retook Vyazma (July 7, 1613), Dorogobuzh, and Bely, an important outpost on the Lithuanian frontier.[1]

Siege

Russian troops for almost four years led a protracted and unsuccessful siege of the city, which consisted mainly of blockade of the garrison. During the siege, no attempt was made to assault. In the beginning of 1617, with the onset of the offensive of Polish–Lithuanian troops on Moscow (Wladislaw III campaign), the siege was lifted.

Aftermath

The unsuccessful siege of Smolensk predetermined the unsuccessful completion of the Polish–Muscovite War (1605–18). According to the Truce of Deulino, the Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth retained the Smolensk lands, which were captured by Russians only in 1654 at the beginning of the next Russo-Polish War (1654-67).[2]

Notes and References

  1. Book: Velikai︠a︡ russkai︠a︡ smuta : prichiny vozniknovenii︠a︡ i vykhod iz gosudarstvennogo krizisa v XVI-XVII vv.. 2007. Dar. Strizhova, I. M., Стрижова, И. М.. 9785485001230. Moskva. 230750976.
  2. Book: Željko, Fajfrić. Ruski carevi. 2008. Tabernakl. 9788685269172. 1. izd. Sremska Mitrovica. 620935678.