Where the Battle of Poltava took place. Battle of Poltava (1709)
During the reign of Peter I (1682–1725), Russia faced two difficult problems related to access to the seas - the Black and Baltic. The Azov campaigns of 1695–1696, which ended with the capture of Azov, did not completely resolve the issue of access to the Black Sea, since the Kerch Strait remained in the hands of Turkey.
Peter I's trip to the countries of Western Europe convinced him that neither Austria nor Venice would become Russia's allies in the war with Turkey. But during the “great embassy” (1697–1698), Peter I realized that a favorable situation had developed in Europe for solving the Baltic problem - getting rid of Swedish rule in the Baltic states. Denmark and Saxony, whose elector Augustus II was also the Polish king, joined Russia.
During the Northern War of 1700–1721. Russia fought against Sweden for the return of lands seized by Sweden and access to the Baltic Sea. The first years of the war turned out to be a serious test for the Russian army. The Swedish king Charles XII, having a first-class army and navy in his hands, brought Denmark out of the war and defeated the Polish-Saxon and Russian armies. In the future, he planned to capture Smolensk and Moscow.
In 1701–1705 Russian troops gained a foothold on the coast of the Gulf of Finland, in the Baltic states. Peter I, anticipating the advance of the Swedes, took measures to strengthen the northwestern borders from Pskov to Smolensk. This forced Charles XII to abandon his attack on Moscow. He took his army to Ukraine, where, counting on the support of the traitor Hetman I.S. Mazepa, intended to replenish supplies, spend the winter, and then, joining the corps of General A. Levengaupt, move to the center of Russia. However, on September 28 (October 9), 1708, Levengaupt’s troops were intercepted near the village of Lesnoy by a flying corps (corvolant) under the command of Peter I. In order to quickly defeat the enemy, about 5 thousand Russian infantry were mounted on horses. They were assisted by about 7 thousand dragoons. The corps was opposed by Swedish troops numbering 13 thousand people, who guarded 3 thousand carts with food and ammunition.
The Battle of Lesnaya ended in a brilliant victory for the Russian army. The enemy lost 8.5 thousand people killed and wounded. Russian troops captured almost the entire convoy and 17 guns, losing more than 1,000 people killed and 2,856 people wounded. This victory testified to the increased fighting strength of the Russian army and contributed to the strengthening of its morale. Peter I later called the battle at Lesnaya “the Mother of the Poltava Battle.” Charles XII lost much-needed reinforcements and convoys. Overall, the Battle of Lesnaya had a great influence on the course of the war. It prepared the conditions for a new, even more majestic, victory of the Russian regular army near Poltava.
The march of the main forces of the Swedish army, led by Charles XII, into Russia ended in their defeat in the Battle of Poltava on June 27 (July 8), 1709. Then Russian troops expanded their conquests in the Baltic states, drove the Swedes out of part of the territory of Finland, and together with the Poles pushed the enemy into Pomerania, and the Russian Baltic Fleet won brilliant victories at Gangut (1714) and Grengam (1720). The Northern War ended with the Peace of Nystadt in 1721. Victory in it provided Russia with access to the Baltic Sea.
Battle of Poltava June 27 (July 8), 1709 – Day of Military Glory (victory day) of Russia
The Battle of Poltava June 27 (July 8), 1709 - a general battle between the Russian and Swedish armies during the Northern War of 1700–1721.
During the winter of 1708–1709. Russian troops, avoiding a general battle, exhausted the forces of the Swedish invaders in separate battles and clashes. In the spring of 1709, Charles XII decided to resume the attack on Moscow through Kharkov and Belgorod. In order to create favorable conditions for carrying out this operation, it was planned to first capture Poltava. The city garrison under the command of the commandant Colonel A.S. Kelina numbered only 4.2 thousand soldiers and officers, who were supported by about 2.5 thousand armed townspeople, the cavalry that approached the city, Lieutenant General A.D. Menshikov and Ukrainian Cossacks. They heroically defended Poltava, withstanding 20 assaults. As a result, the Swedish army (35 thousand people) was detained under the walls of the city for two months, from April 30 (May 11) to June 27 (July 8), 1709. The persistent defense of the city made it possible for the Russian army to prepare for a general battle.
Peter I at the head of the Russian army (42.5 thousand people) was located 5 km from Poltava. In front of the position of the Russian troops stretched a wide plain, bordered by forests. On the left there was a copse through which the only possible path for the Swedish army to advance passed. Peter I ordered the construction of redoubts along this route (6 in a line and 4 perpendicular). They were quadrangular earthen fortifications with ditches and parapets, located one from the other at a distance of 300 steps. Each of the redoubts housed 2 battalions (more than 1,200 soldiers and officers with 6 regimental guns). Behind the redoubts there was cavalry (17 dragoon regiments) under the command of A.D. Menshikov. Peter I's plan was to exhaust the Swedish troops at the redoubts and then deal them a crushing blow in a field battle. In Western Europe, Peter's tactical innovation was applied only in 1745.
The Swedish army (30 thousand people) was built in front at a distance of 3 km from the Russian redoubts. Its battle formation consisted of two lines: the first - infantry, built in 4 columns; the second is cavalry, built in 6 columns.
Early in the morning of June 27 (July 8), the Swedes went on the offensive. They managed to capture two unfinished forward redoubts, but were unable to take the rest. During the passage of the Swedish army through the redoubts, a group of 6 infantry battalions and 10 cavalry squadrons was cut off from the main forces and captured by the Russians. With heavy losses, the Swedish army managed to break through the redoubts and reach the open. Peter I also withdrew his troops from the camp (with the exception of 9 reserve battalions), who prepared for the decisive battle. At 9 o'clock in the morning, both armies converged and hand-to-hand combat began. The right wing of the Swedes began to press the center of the combat formation of the Russian troops. Then Peter I personally led a battalion of the Novgorod regiment into battle and closed the emerging breakthrough. The Russian cavalry began to cover the Swedes' flank, threatening their rear. The enemy wavered and began to retreat, and then fled. By 11 o'clock the Battle of Poltava ended in a convincing victory for Russian weapons. The enemy lost 9,234 soldiers and officers killed and 19,811 captured. The losses of Russian troops amounted to 1,345 people killed and 3,290 people wounded. The remnants of the Swedish troops (more than 15 thousand people) fled to the Dnieper and were captured by Menshikov’s cavalry. Charles XII and Hetman Mazepa managed to cross the river and leave for Turkey.
Most of the Swedish army was destroyed on the Poltava field. The power of Sweden was undermined. The victory of Russian troops near Poltava predetermined the victorious outcome of the Northern War for Russia. Sweden was no longer able to recover from the defeat.
In the military history of Russia, the Battle of Poltava rightfully ranks with the Battle of the Ice, the Battle of Kulikovo and Borodino.
Russo-Turkish War (1710–1713)
Russo-Turkish War 1710–1713 took place during the Northern War of 1700–1721. Russia with Sweden and ended unsuccessfully for Russia (see Prut campaign of 1711). Russia was forced to return Azov to Turkey and demolish fortifications on the Azov coast.
Prut campaign (1711)
The Prut campaign of 1711 was undertaken by the Russian army under the leadership of Peter I into Turkish possessions on the Danube during the Russian-Turkish war of 1710–1713. The Russian command hoped to approach the Danube before the Turks and capture the crossings, as well as for the local population to rebel against the Turks. The Turkish army managed to prevent the Russian troops from reaching the Prut and actually encircled them. At the decisive moment, the Turks did not dare to attack and agreed to peace negotiations. On July 12, 1711, Peter I was forced to sign the Prut Peace Treaty, which was unfavorable for Russia.
Battle of Gangut July 27 (August 9), 1714 – Day of Military Glory (victory day) of Russia
After the victory at Poltava, the Russian army during 1710–1713. expelled Swedish troops from the Baltic states. However, the Swedish fleet continued to operate in the Baltic Sea. During the Northern War of 1700–1721. Russian rowing fleet with 15 thousand. army (99 galleys; Admiral General F.M. Apraksin) followed to Abo. Near the Gangut Peninsula (Hanko), his path was blocked by the Swedish fleet (15 battleships, 3 frigates and a detachment of rowing ships; Vice Admiral G. Vatrang). Having learned that Peter I was preparing a portage, Vatrang sent a squadron (1 frigate, 6 galleys, 3 skerries) under the command of Rear Admiral N. Ehrenskiöld to Rilaksfjord.
On July 26, the vanguard of the Russian fleet (35 galleys) bypassed the Swedish fleet by sea and blocked the squadron in the fjord. After the main forces (Apraksin) broke through to the vanguard and the Swedes refused to surrender, the naval Battle of Gangut began on July 27, 1714. Skillfully using the advantage of rowing ships over the enemy's linear sailing ships in the skerry area and calm conditions, 23 scampaways under the command of Peter I defeated the enemy squadron, captured his ships and captured Ehrenskiöld.
The Battle of Gangut is the first major naval victory in the history of the Russian fleet, which ensured freedom of action for the Russian fleet in the Gulf of Finland and the Gulf of Bothnia, the success of troops in Finland and the occupation of the Aland Islands. Since 1995 – Day of Military Glory of Russia.
Battle of Grenham 1720
The most striking episode of the last campaign of the Northern War of 1700–1721. Between Russia and Sweden there is a naval battle off the island of Grengam in the Gulf of Bothnia in the Baltic Sea.
On July 24, 1720, the Russian galley flotilla (61 galleys and 29 boats, which carried 10,941 landing troops) under the command of Chief General Prince M.M. Golitsyna went to sea, trying to reach the Åland archipelago. Two days later, near the island of Lemland, Russian ships met the Swedish squadron of Vice Admiral K. Sheblad, reinforced by the ships of K. Wachmeister's squadron, a total of 14 pennants. The Russian galleys anchored, waiting for the moment to attack. But the wind did not subside, and at the military council they decided to wait for calm weather and then give the Swedes battle.
As soon as the Russian ships began to leave the cover of Redshare Island, they were attacked by Swedish ships. Using the shallow draft of the galleys, Golitsyn began to move away from the enemy in shallow water. Four Swedish frigates, carried away by the pursuit, entered a narrow strait, where they could not maneuver and were poorly controlled. Realizing that in the excitement of pursuit the Swedes had driven themselves into a trap, Golitsyn ordered his galleys to stop and attack the enemy. The Swedes tried to turn around and retreat. Only the flagship succeeded. The frigates Wenkern (30 guns) and Shtorphoenix (34 guns) ran aground and were immediately surrounded. Neither the high sides nor the anti-boarding nets stopped the rush of the Russian sailors who captured the Swedish ships. Two other frigates, Kiskin (22 guns) and Dunskern (18 guns), tried to escape to the open sea, but the unsuccessful maneuver of the flagship battleship prevented them from doing so. They were also boarded.
Trophies M.M. Golitsyn consisted of 4 enemy frigates and 407 crew members. 103 Swedes died in the battle. The Russians lost 82 people killed and 246 wounded.
The victory at Grenham had a great influence on the further course of the war. It significantly weakened the Swedish naval forces, and the Russians, having strengthened themselves in the area of the Åland archipelago, were able to successfully operate on the enemy’s sea communications.
The Swedish captured frigates were brought to St. Petersburg, and in honor of the victory a medal was struck with the inscription: “Diligence and courage exceed strength.”
The battle of the Russian rowing fleet at Gangut in 1714, the Ezel naval battle in 1719, and the victory of the Russian rowing fleet at Grengam in 1720 finally broke the power of Sweden at sea. On August 30, 1721, a peace treaty was signed in the city of Nystadt. As a result of the Peace of Nystadt, the shores of the Baltic Sea (Riga, Pernov, Revel, Narva, Ezel and Dago islands, etc.) were returned to Russia. It became one of the largest European states and in 1721 officially became known as the Russian Empire.
In the spring of 1708, Charles XII invaded Russia. With him were 24 thousand infantry and 20 thousand cavalry. These were selected warriors who knew their job very well. In Europe there were legends about them as invincible soldiers. The Swedish king initially intended to go to Moscow through Smolensk, but this direction was covered by a strong army led by Boris Sheremetev. Charles XII turned south and went to Ukraine. He was in secret correspondence with the Ukrainian hetman Ivan Mazepa. Many of the Cossack elders were dissatisfied with the position of Ukraine within Russia. They believed that the liberties of the elders and the Little Russian gentry were curtailed. The hardships of the Northern War also took their toll. 20 thousand Cossacks fought in the “Livonian region”. Ukrainian hetman Ivan Mazepa dreamed of Ukraine, a vassal of Sweden. Mazepa promised Charles XII apartments for the army, food, fodder (horse feed), and military support for the 30,000-strong Zaporozhye army.
FROM A REPORT ABOUT THE BATTLE OF POLTAVA
“And so, by the grace of the Almighty, the perfect Victoria, the like of which has been little heard or seen, with easy difficulty against a proud enemy through His Royal Majesty, a glorious weapon and a personal brave and wise victory was won. For His Majesty truly showed his courage, wise generosity and military skill, without fearing any fear to his royal person, to the highest degree, and, moreover, his hat was pierced by a bullet. Under his lordship Prince Menshikov, who also showed his courage, three horses were wounded. At the same time, it should be known that of our infantry only one line, in which there were ten thousand, was in battle with the enemy, and the other did not reach that; for the enemies, having been refuted from our first line, fled and were thus beaten<…>News was received from those sent to bury the dead from the battle that they had counted and buried the Swedish dead bodies of 8,519 people at the battle site and around it, except for those who were beaten in the chase through the forests in different places.”
“I ASK YOU TO COME TO MY TENT”
On the eve of the Battle of Poltava, King Charles XII, promising his officers and soldiers a quick victory, invited the Russian Tsar to a luxurious dinner in the tent. “He prepared many dishes; go where glory leads you.” Peter I actually organized a feast for the victors, where he invited captured Swedish generals. At the same time, not without irony, the Russian monarch said: “Yesterday my brother King Charles invited you to dine in my tent, but today he did not come and did not keep his word, although I really expected him. But when His Majesty did not deign to appear, then I ask you to come to my tent.”
ORDER FOR THE TRAITOR
After Poltava, Peter I sent the following order to Moscow: “Upon receipt of this, immediately make a silver coin weighing ten pounds, and on it have Judas cut out, hanging from an aspen tree, and below are thirty pieces of silver lying with a bag with them, and on the back is this inscription: “ Cursed is the pernicious son Judas, who is choking for his love of money.” And for that coin, make a chain of two pounds, send it to us by express mail immediately.” This was the Order of Judas, made specifically for the traitor Hetman Mazepa.
Tests on the history of the Fatherland
VICTORY PARADE
The event turned out wonderful. The order of the parade can be judged from the engravings of P. Picard and A. Zubov.
The victorious sounds of twenty-four trumpeters and six timpani players who led the column flew from the Serpukhov Gate. The procession was opened by the Semenovsky Life Guards Regiment on horseback, led by Prince M.M. Golitsyn. The Semyonovites rode with unfurled banners and drawn broadswords.
Next were the trophies taken at Lesnaya, followed by Russian soldiers again, now through the snow, dragging 295 banners and standards captured at Lesnaya, Poltava and Perevolochnaya. (by the way, at the Victory Parade on June 24, 1945, 200 fascist banners and standards were thrown at the foot of the V.I. Lenin mausoleum). Such dragging of enemy trophy banners across land and water (if it was in a port) became a kind of traditional part of victorious events in the Peter the Great era. Next came the Swedish prisoners. On December 21, a huge number of prisoners of war were paraded through the Russian capital - 22,085 Swedes, Finns, Germans and others taken during 9 years of war.
At first, the captured non-commissioned officers of the “Courland Corps” were taken on foot. After the victories at Lesnaya and Poltava, the Swedes were not considered a formidable enemy and, as a mockery, 19 sleighs of the “Samoyed King” of the half-crazy Frenchman Udder with the Nenets dressed in reindeer skins, drawn by reindeer and horses, were allowed behind them. Behind them were carried on horseback the stretchers of the Swedish king captured near Poltava. They were kept in the Armory for some time, until a fire in 1737 destroyed them...
After the Swedes came the grenadier company of the Preobrazhensky Regiment, again Swedish officers and trophies taken near Poltava. Then Levengaupta walked on foot along with Rehnskiöld and Chancellor K. Pieper.
Following the generals, Colonel Peter the Great himself of the Preobrazhensky Regiment rode on horseback in a uniform torn by fragments of Swedish cannonballs, in a saddle shot through by a Swedish bullet, and in a cocked hat pierced by it. He rode the same horse on which, in difficult moments of the Battle of Poltava, he led the second battalion of Novgorodians into the attack. Now Field Marshal General Alexander Menshikov was following the Tsar. The Preobrazhensky soldiers followed them and a huge convoy began.
Swedish regimental music was carried on 54 open carts, accompanied by 120 Swedish musicians. Among the trophies were silver kettledrums from the Swedish Life Regiment. By the “oral” command of Tsar Peter Alekseevich, as a sign of distinction in the Battle of Poltava and with the obvious traditional meaning of the commander’s kleynod of the leader, they were granted the field marshal general, His Serene Highness Prince A.D. Menshikov to the General or Life Squadron - the ancestor of the Horse Guards, becoming a precedent when the trophy turned into a military award. The prisoners were led through the city streets through all 8 triumphal gates, erected “to the shame and disgrace of the Swedes.”
Bells were ringing in all the churches, people were yelling, shouting curses, and in general, there was “such a roar and noise that people could hardly hear each other on the streets,” wrote Corporal Erik Larsson Smepust. However, all participants in the procession were treated to beer and vodka. The Swedish generals, as after the Battle of Poltava, were invited to a feast at Menshikov’s house. The Moscow Victory Parade, organized by Peter the Great, was one of the most magnificent during his reign. And it was held not only for the edification of one’s own and foreign contemporaries, but also for descendants. A tradition was born that must be preserved.
After the Polish battles, the Swedish army was severely exhausted, and therefore retreated to Ukraine to replenish its strength. Peter I understood that the Swedes were a dangerous enemy. Therefore, everything was done to prevent the enemy from getting the rest they needed - along the route of the Swedish troops, all supplies of food and weapons were destroyed, ordinary people went into the forest, hiding food and livestock there.
The Battle of Poltava briefly. Progress of the battle.
Before the battle begins.
In the autumn of 1708, the Swedes reached the suburbs of Poltava and, settling down for the winter rest in Budishchi, decided to take the city by storm. The superiority of forces was significant - the Swedish king Charles XII had thirty thousand soldiers at his disposal against the small Poltava garrison.
But the courage of the city residents allowed them to hold out against an entire army for two months. Poltava was never surrendered to the Swedes.
Battle of Poltava. Preparing for battle.
While the Swedes were losing time and energy under the walls of Poltava, Peter I was preparing his troops for the most important battle. At the beginning of June, having crossed the Vorskla River, Russian soldiers settled down at Yakovtsy, five kilometers from the besieged city, in the rear of the Swedes.
Having blocked the only path along which the Swedes could advance with several redoubts, behind them Peter placed 17 cavalry regiments of his friend and military leader, Alexander Menshikov.
Ukrainian Hetman Skoropadsky, meanwhile, cut off the Swedes’ path to Poland and Ukraine. Peter did not trust the hetman too much, but nevertheless used his powers.
Battle of Poltava with the Swedes. Battle.
The Battle of Poltava began on the morning of June 27, 1709. At first it might seem that the advantage was on the side of the Swedes - although they lost many soldiers, they were still able to get through two lines of fortifications. However, under artillery fire they had no choice but to retreat into the forest and take a break.
Taking advantage of the pause, Peter moved his main forces to the position. And in the next “round” of the battle, the Swedes began to openly lose. The Novgorod regiment, brought into battle on time, caused confusion in the Swedish formation, and the Menshikov cavalry struck from the other side.
In this chaos, the Swedes could not stand it and fled. By 11 o'clock in the morning the battle was over. King Charles XII and his ally, the traitor hetman Mazepa, managed to escape by crossing the Dnieper, but 15 thousand Swedish soldiers and commanders were captured.
The meaning and results of the Battle of Poltava.
After the battle given to the Swedish king by Peter I, this country ceased to be the most powerful military force in Europe. The Swedes lost a third of their troops killed and lost key commanders who were captured.
All participants in the Battle of Poltava became heroes at the hands of Peter, and the Northern War ended in victory for Russia.
Summer of 1709 The army of Charles XII approached Poltava, where on June 27 it was defeated by Peter I in a general battle. Three days later, the remnants of the Swedish army capitulated at Perevolochna. Charles XII managed with a small detachment to leave for the possessions of the Turkish Sultan, where he remained (first in Bendery, then in Edirne) until 1714.
Having entered Ukrainian soil, the Swedish invaders found neither housing, nor bread, nor fodder. Residents met the invaders with weapons in their hands, hid food supplies, and went to forest and swampy places. Having united in detachments, the population stubbornly defended even weakly fortified towns.
In the fall of 1708, Hetman of Ukraine Mazepa defected to the side of Charles XII. However, the traitor failed to bring the promised Cossack army of 50 thousand people to the Swedish king. Only about 2 thousand came to the enemy’s camp with the hetman. In the winter of 1708-1709, the army of Charles XII slowly advanced across the snowy Ukrainian steppes. The Swedes' task was to push Russian troops out of Ukraine and open their way to Moscow. For this purpose, the Swedish command developed and began to carry out an invasion of Slobozhanshchina. But as the enemy army advanced further, the people's war flared up more and more. The so-called small war became increasingly widespread. Detachments created by the Russians from regular units, Cossacks and local residents actively operated in the rear of the Swedes, on their communications. The attempt to break through to Moscow ultimately failed. The Swedish regiments were forced to retreat to the interfluve of the river. Vorskla and r. Psla. Taking into account the prevailing conditions that were clearly unfavorable for his army, Charles XII decided to move to Poltava. The capture of this town allowed the Swedes to control the junction through which the roads went to their allies: the Turks and Crimean Tatars.
The defensive structures of Poltava were relatively weak (earthen ramparts, ditch and palisade) and did not seem to pose any difficulties for the Swedish generals. Charles's army had experience of sieging more powerful fortresses in the Baltic states, Poland and Saxony. However, the Swedes did not take into account the courageous determination with which the defenders were going to defend the fortress. Commandant of Poltava Colonel A.S. Kelin had the firm intention of defending himself to the last warrior.
The assault began on April 3, 1709 and continued until the 20th of June. Russian troops rushed to the aid of the besieged. On June 16, the military council of the Russian army came to the conclusion that the only means of saving Poltava was a general battle, for which the Russians began to intensively prepare. Preparations included the transition of the Russian army to the right bank of the river. Vorskla, which was done on June 19-20. On the 25th of the same month, a Russian camp was set up near the village of Yakovtsi. The terrain chosen by Peter 1 was extremely advantageous for the deployment of troops. Hollows, ravines and small forests excluded the possibility of wide maneuver of the enemy cavalry. At the same time, on rough terrain, the Russian infantry, the main strength of the Russian army, could show its best side.
Peter 1 ordered to strengthen the camp with engineering structures. Earthen ramparts and redans were built in the shortest possible time. Gaps were left between the ramparts and redans so that the Russian army, if necessary, could not only defend itself, but also go on the attack. In front of the camp there was a flat field. Here, from Poltava, lay the only possible route of advance for the Swedes. On this part of the field, by order of Peter 1, a forward position was created: 6 transverse (towards the enemy’s offensive line) and 4 longitudinal redoubts. All this significantly strengthened the position of the Russian troops.
On the eve of the battle, Peter 1 toured all the regiments. His short patriotic appeals to soldiers and officers formed the basis of the famous order, which demanded that soldiers fight not for Peter, but for “Russia and Russian piety...”
Charles XII also tried to raise the spirit of his army. Inspiring the soldiers, Karl announced that tomorrow they would dine in the Russian convoy, where great booty awaited them.
On the eve of the battle, the opposing sides had the following forces: the Swedes had about 35 thousand people with 39 guns; The Russian army consisted of 42 thousand people and 102 guns (Harbottle T. Battles of World History. M., 1993. P. 364.) On June 27 at 3 o'clock in the morning, the Swedish infantry and cavalry began moving towards the Russian camp. However, the sentinels promptly warned of the enemy's appearance. Menshikov withdrew the cavalry entrusted to him and imposed a counter battle on the enemy. The battle has begun. Confronted with the Russian forward position at the redoubts, the Swedes were surprised. The fire of the Russian cannons met them with cannonballs and grapeshot at the maximum distance, which deprived Charles's troops of an important trump card - the surprise of the strike. However, the Swedes initially managed to somewhat push back the Russian cavalry and occupy the first two (unfinished) redoubts. Further, all attempts to pass the transverse redoubts ended in failure each time. The crossfire of Russian infantry and artillery from the redoubts and cavalry attacks overthrew the enemy. In a fierce battle, the enemy lost 14 standards and banners.
Pressuring the Swedes, the Russian cavalry drove part of the enemy forces to the Yakovets forest, where they surrounded them and forced them to capitulate. By 6 o'clock in the morning the first stage of the battle was over. There followed three hours of inaction from the Swedes, which showed that they were losing the initiative to the Russians.
The Russian command made good use of the respite. After some time, Russian intelligence reported that the Swedes were forming a battle formation near the Malobudishchinsky forest. The decisive moment was approaching when the infantry was to play the main role in the confrontation between the parties. Russian regiments lined up in front of the camp. The infantry stood in two lines. Artillery was dispersed along the entire front. On the left flank there were six selected dragoon regiments under the command of Menshikov. B.P. was appointed commander of all troops. Sheremetev, while Peter took over leadership of the center division. Before the decisive battle, Peter addressed the soldiers with the famous appeal: “Warriors! The hour has come that will decide the fate of the fatherland. And so you should not think that you are fighting for Peter, but for the state entrusted to Peter, for your family, for the fatherland... "The Swedes were the first to attack. When approaching a rifle shot, both sides fired a strong volley from all types of weapons. The terrifying fire of Russian artillery disrupted the enemy ranks. The moment of brutal hand-to-hand combat came. Two Swedish battalions rushed, closing the front, to the first battalion of the Novgorod regiment, hoping to break through the Russian line. The Novgorod battalions put up stubborn resistance, but under the blows of the enemy's bayonets they retreated. At this dangerous moment, Peter himself led the second battalion and part of the soldiers of the first into a counterattack. The Novgorodians rushed with bayonets and gained the upper hand. The danger of a breakthrough was eliminated. The second stage of the battle lasted from 9 to 11 am. In the first half hour, weapons and artillery fire caused enormous damage to the Swedes. The soldiers of Charles XII lost more than half of their strength.
Over time, the enemy's onslaught weakened every minute. At this moment, Menshikov attacked the right flank of the Swedes. Having thrown back the cavalry, the Russians exposed the flanks of the enemy infantry and put them in danger of destruction. Under the onslaught of the Russians, the right flank of the Swedes trembled and began to retreat. Noticing this, Peter gave the order for a general attack. The enemy's retreat began along the entire front and soon turned into a stampede. The Swedish army was defeated.
In the battle of Poltava, Charles XII lost 9,234 soldiers, 2,874 people surrendered. The Russian army suffered significantly fewer losses. They amounted to 1,345 killed and 3,290 wounded.
On June 27, 1709, one of the outstanding events in the history of Russia’s struggle against foreign invaders took place. Russian troops led by Peter 1 won a brilliant and crushing victory over the troops of Charles XII. The victory at Poltava marked a radical turning point in the course of the many years of grueling Northern War (1700-1721) and predetermined its outcome in favor of Russia. It was near Poltava that a solid foundation was laid for subsequent victories of the Russian army.
Battle of Poltava |
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Near Poltava, Ukraine |
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Decisive victory for the Russian army |
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Opponents |
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Commanders |
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Carl Gustav Rehnschild |
Alexander Danilovich Menshikov |
Strengths of the parties |
General forces: |
General forces: |
Battle of Poltava- the largest battle of the Northern War between Russian troops under the command of Peter I and the Swedish army of Charles XII. It took place on the morning of June 27 (July 8), 1709, 6 versts from the city of Poltava on Ukrainian lands (Left Bank of the Dnieper). The decisive victory of the Russian army led to a turning point in the Northern War in Russia's favor and ended Sweden's dominance as the main military power in Europe.
After the Battle of Narva in 1700, Charles XII invaded Europe and a long war broke out involving many states, in which the army of Charles XII was able to advance far to the south, gaining victories.
After Peter I conquered part of Livonia from Charles XII and founded a new fortified city of St. Petersburg at the mouth of the Neva, Charles decided to attack central Russia and capture Moscow. During the campaign, he decided to lead his army to Little Russia, whose hetman, Mazepa, went over to Karl’s side, but was not supported by the bulk of the Cossacks. By the time Charles's army approached Poltava, he had lost up to a third of the army, his rear was attacked by Peter's light cavalry - Cossacks and Kalmyks, and was wounded just before the battle. The battle was lost by Charles, and he fled to the Ottoman Empire.
Background
In October 1708, Peter I became aware of the betrayal and defection of Hetman Mazepa to the side of Charles XII, who negotiated with the king for quite a long time, promising him, if he arrived in Ukraine, up to 50 thousand Cossack troops, food and comfortable wintering. On October 28, 1708, Mazepa, at the head of a detachment of Cossacks, arrived at Charles’s headquarters. It was in this year that Peter I amnestied and recalled from exile (accused of treason based on Mazepa’s slander) the Ukrainian colonel Paliy Semyon (real name Gurko); Thus, the sovereign of Russia secured the support of the Cossacks.
From the many thousands of Ukrainian Cossacks (registered Cossacks numbered 30 thousand, Zaporozhye Cossacks - 10-12 thousand), Mazepa managed to bring only up to 10 thousand people, about 3 thousand registered Cossacks and about 7 thousand Cossacks. But they soon began to flee from the camp of the Swedish army. King Charles XII was afraid to use such unreliable allies, of which there were about 2 thousand, in battle, and therefore left them in the baggage train.
In the spring of 1709, Charles XII, being with his army on Russian territory, decided to resume the attack on Moscow through Kharkov and Belgorod. The strength of his army decreased significantly and amounted to 35 thousand people. In an effort to create favorable preconditions for the offensive, Karl decides to quickly capture Poltava, located on the right bank of the Vorskla.
On April 30, Swedish troops began the siege of Poltava. Under the leadership of Colonel A. S. Kelin, its garrison of 4.2 thousand soldiers (Tver and Ustyug soldier regiments and one battalion each from three more regiments - Perm, Apraksin and Fechtenheim), 2 thousand Cossacks of the Poltava Cossack Regiment (Colonel Ivan Levenets) and 2.6 thousand armed townspeople successfully repelled a number of assaults. From April to June, the Swedes launched 20 assaults on Poltava and lost more than 6 thousand people under its walls. At the end of May, the main forces of the Russian army, led by Peter, approached Poltava. They were located on the left bank of the Vorskla River opposite from Poltava. After Peter decided on a general battle at the military council on June 16, on the same day the advanced detachment of Russians crossed the Vorskla north of Poltava, near the village of Petrovka, ensuring the possibility of crossing the entire army.
On June 19, the main forces of the Russian troops marched to the crossing and crossed Vorskla the next day. Peter I camped his army near the village of Semyonovka. On June 25, the Russian army redeployed even further south, taking up a position 5 kilometers from Poltava, near the village of Yakovtsy. The total strength of the two armies was impressive: the Russian army consisted of 60 thousand soldiers and 102 artillery pieces. Charles XII had up to 37 thousand soldiers (including up to ten thousand Zaporozhye and Ukrainian Cossacks of Hetman Mazepa) and 41 guns (30 cannons, 2 howitzers, 8 mortars and 1 shotgun). A smaller number of troops took part directly in the Battle of Poltava. On the Swedish side there were about 8,000 infantry (18 battalions), 7,800 cavalry and about 1,000 irregular cavalry, and on the Russian side - about 25,000 infantry, some of whom, even being present on the field, did not take part in the battle. In addition, on the Russian side, cavalry units numbering 9,000 soldiers and Cossacks (including Ukrainians loyal to Peter) took part in the battle. On the Russian side, 73 artillery pieces were involved in the battle against 4 Swedish ones. The charges for the Swedish artillery were almost completely used up during the siege of Poltava.
On June 26, the Russians began to build a forward position. Ten redoubts were erected, which were occupied by two battalions of the Belgorod infantry regiment of Colonel Savva Aigustov under the command of Lieutenant Colonels Neklyudov and Nechaev. Behind the redoubts there were 17 cavalry regiments under the command of A.D. Menshikov.
Charles XII, having received information about the imminent approach of a large Kalmyk detachment to the Russians, decided to attack Peter’s army before the Kalmyks completely disrupted his communications. Wounded during a reconnaissance on June 17, the king transferred command to Field Marshal K. G. Renschild, who received 20 thousand soldiers at his disposal. About 10 thousand people, including Mazepa’s Cossacks, remained in the camp near Poltava.
On the eve of the battle, Peter I toured all the regiments. His short patriotic appeals to soldiers and officers formed the basis of the famous order, which demanded that soldiers fight not for Peter, but for “Russia and Russian piety...”
Charles XII also tried to raise the spirit of his army. Inspiring the soldiers, Karl announced that tomorrow they would dine in the Russian convoy, where great booty awaited them.
Progress of the battle
Swedish attack on the redoubts
At two o'clock in the morning on June 27, Swedish infantry moved out from near Poltava in four columns, followed by six cavalry columns. By dawn, the Swedes entered the field in front of the Russian redoubts. Prince Menshikov, having lined up his dragoons in battle formation, moved towards the Swedes, wanting to meet them as early as possible and thereby gain time to prepare for the battle of the main forces.
When the Swedes saw the advancing Russian dragoons, their cavalry quickly galloped through the gaps between the columns of their infantry and quickly rushed at the Russian cavalry. By three o'clock in the morning a hot battle was already in full swing in front of the redoubts. At first, the Swedish cuirassiers pushed back the Russian cavalry, but, quickly recovering, the Russian cavalry pushed the Swedes back with repeated blows.
The Swedish cavalry retreated and the infantry went on the attack. The tasks of the infantry were as follows: one part of the infantry had to pass the redoubts without a fight towards the main camp of the Russian troops, while the other part, under the command of Ross, had to take the longitudinal redoubts in order to prevent the enemy from firing destructive fire on the Swedish infantry, which was advancing towards the fortified camp Russians. The Swedes took the first and second forward redoubts. Attacks on the third and other redoubts were repulsed.
The brutal stubborn battle lasted more than an hour; During this time, the main forces of the Russians managed to prepare for battle, and therefore Tsar Peter ordered the cavalry and defenders of the redoubts to retreat to the main position near the fortified camp. However, Menshikov did not obey the tsar’s order and, dreaming of finishing off the Swedes at the redoubts, continued the battle. Soon he was forced to retreat.
Field Marshal Renschild regrouped his troops, trying to bypass the Russian redoubts on the left. After capturing two redoubts, the Swedes were attacked by Menshikov's cavalry, but the Swedish cavalry forced them to retreat. According to Swedish historiography, Menshikov fled. However, the Swedish cavalry, obeying the general battle plan, did not develop their success.
During the mounted battle, six right-flank battalions of General Ross stormed the 8th redoubt, but were unable to take it, having lost up to half of their personnel during the attack. During the left flank maneuver of the Swedish troops, a gap formed between them and Ross's battalions and the latter were lost from sight. In an effort to find them, Renschild sent 2 more infantry battalions to search for them. However, Ross's troops were defeated by Russian cavalry.
Meanwhile, Field Marshal Renschild, seeing the retreat of the Russian cavalry and infantry, orders his infantry to break through the line of Russian fortifications. This order is immediately carried out.
Having broken through the redoubts, the main part of the Swedes came under heavy artillery and rifle fire from the Russian camp and retreated in disarray to the Budishchensky forest. At about six o'clock in the morning, Peter led the army out of the camp and built it in two lines, with infantry in the center, Menshikov's cavalry on the left flank, and General R. H. Bour's cavalry on the right flank. A reserve of nine infantry battalions was left in the camp. Renschild lined up the Swedes opposite the Russian army.
Decisive battle
At 9 o'clock in the morning, the remnants of the Swedish infantry, numbering about 4 thousand people, formed in one line, attacked the Russian infantry, lined up in two lines of about 8 thousand each. First, the opponents engaged in gunfire, then began hand-to-hand combat.
Encouraged by the presence of the king, the right wing of the Swedish infantry fiercely attacked the left flank of the Russian army. Under the onslaught of the Swedes, the first line of Russian troops began to retreat. According to Englund, the Kazan, Pskov, Siberian, Moscow, Butyrsky and Novgorod regiments (the leading battalions of these regiments) succumbed to enemy pressure, according to Englund. A dangerous gap in the battle formation formed in the front line of the Russian infantry: the Swedes “overthrew” the 1st battalion of the Novgorod regiment with a bayonet attack. Tsar Peter I noticed this in time, took the 2nd battalion of the Novogorod regiment and, at its head, rushed into a dangerous place.
The arrival of the king put an end to the successes of the Swedes and order on the left flank was restored. At first, the Swedes wavered in two or three places under the onslaught of the Russians.
The second line of Russian infantry joined the first, increasing pressure on the enemy, and the melting thin line of the Swedes no longer received any reinforcements. The flanks of the Russian army engulfed the Swedish battle formation. The Swedes were already tired of the intense battle.
Charles XII tried to inspire his soldiers and appeared in the place of the hottest battle. But the cannonball broke the king's stretcher, and he fell. The news of the death of the king swept through the ranks of the Swedish army with lightning speed. Panic began among the Swedes.
Having woken up from the fall, Charles XII orders himself to be placed on crossed peaks and raised high so that everyone can see him, but this measure did not help. Under the onslaught of Russian forces, the Swedes, who had lost formation, began a disorderly retreat, which by 11 o'clock turned into a real flight. The fainting king barely had time to be taken from the battlefield, put into a carriage and sent to Perevolochna.
According to Englund, the most tragic fate awaited two battalions of the Uppland Regiment, which were surrounded and completely destroyed (out of 700 people, only a few dozen remained alive).
Losses of the parties
Menshikov, having received reinforcements of 3,000 Kalmyk cavalry in the evening, pursued the enemy to Perevolochna on the banks of the Dnieper, where about 16,000 Swedes were captured.
In the battle, the Swedes lost over 11 thousand soldiers. Russian losses amounted to 1,345 killed and 3,290 wounded.
Results
As a result of the Battle of Poltava, the army of King Charles XII was so drained of blood that it could no longer conduct active offensive operations. He himself managed to escape with Mazepa and hid in the territory of the Ottoman Empire in Bendery. The military power of Sweden was undermined, and in the Northern War there was a turning point in favor of Russia. During the Battle of Poltava, Peter used tactics that are still mentioned in military schools. Shortly before the battle, Peter dressed the experienced soldiers in the uniform of the young ones. Karl, knowing that the form of experienced fighters is different from the form of young ones, led his army against the young fighters and fell into a trap.
Cards
The actions of Russian troops from the moment of the attempt to liberate Poltava from Vorskla until the end of the Battle of Poltava are shown.
Unfortunately, this most informative diagram cannot be placed here due to its dubious legal status - the original was published in the USSR with a total circulation of about 1,000,000 copies (!).
Memory of an event
- At the site of the battle, the Poltava Battlefield Museum-Reserve (now the National Museum-Reserve) was founded at the beginning of the 20th century. A museum was built on its territory, monuments to Peter I, Russian and Swedish soldiers were erected, on the site of the camp of Peter I, etc.
- In honor of the 25th anniversary of the Battle of Poltava (which took place on the day of St. Sampson the Host) in 1735, the sculptural group “Samson Tearing the Lion’s Jaw,” designed by Carlo Rastrelli, was installed in Peterhof. The lion was associated with Sweden, whose coat of arms contains this heraldic beast.
Monuments in Poltava:
- Monument of Glory
- Monument at the resting place of Peter I after the battle
- Monument to Colonel Kelin and the valiant defenders of Poltava.
On coins
In honor of the 300th anniversary of the Battle of Poltava, the Bank of Russia issued the following commemorative silver coins on June 1, 2009 (only reverses are shown):
In fiction
- A.S. Pushkin, “Poltava” - in the novel “Poltava Peremoga” by Oleg Kudrin (shortlist for the “Nonconformism-2010” award, “Nezavisimaya Gazeta”, Moscow) the event is considered, “replayed” in the genre of alternative history.
Images
Documentary film
- “The Battle of Poltava. 300 years later." — Russia, 2008
Art films
- Servant of Sovereigns (film)
- Prayer for Hetman Mazepa (film)