On July 8 (June 27, old style) 1709, the decisive battle of the Northern War of 1700-1721 took place - the Battle of Poltava. The Russian army under the command of Peter I defeated the Swedish army of Charles XII (Karl XII). The battle of Poltava led to a turning point in the Northern War in favor of Russia.
In honor of this victory, the Day of Military Glory of Russia was established, which is celebrated on July 10. The federal law "On the days of military glory and memorable dates in Russia" was adopted in 1995. It states that July 10 is the Victory Day of the Russian army under the command of Peter the Great over the Swedes in the Battle of Poltava (1709).
After the defeat of the Russian army, Peter I carried out a grandiose military reform in 1700-1702 - in fact, he created the army and the Baltic Fleet anew. In the spring of 1703, at the mouth of the Neva, Peter I founded the city and fortress of St. Petersburg, and later the naval citadel of Kronstadt. In the summer of 1704, the Russians captured Derpt (Tartu) and Narva and thus entrenched themselves on the coast of the Gulf of Finland. At that time, Peter I was ready to conclude a peace treaty with Sweden. But Charles XII decided to continue the war until complete victory, in order to completely cut off Russia from the sea trade routes.
In the spring of 1709, after an unsuccessful winter campaign in Ukraine, the army of the Swedish king Charles XII laid siege to Poltava, where it was supposed to replenish supplies, and then continue on their way in the direction of Kharkov, Belgorod and further to Moscow. In April-June 1709, the Poltava garrison, consisting of 4.2 thousand soldiers and 2.6 thousand armed citizens, led by the commandant Colonel Alexei Kelin, supported by the cavalry of General Alexander Menshikov and Ukrainian Cossacks who came to the rescue, successfully repelled several enemy assaults. The heroic defense of Poltava fettered the forces of Charles XII. Thanks to her, the Russian army was able at the end of May 1709 to concentrate in the area of the fortress and prepare for battle with the enemy.
At the end of May, the main forces of the Russian army under the command of Peter I approached the Poltava region. At the military council on June 27 (June 16, according to the old style), it was decided to give a general battle. By July 6 (June 25, old style), the Russian army, numbering 42 thousand people and having 72 guns, was located in the fortified camp it had created, 5 kilometers north of Poltava.
The field in front of the camp, about 2.5 kilometers wide, covered from the flanks by dense forest and thickets, was fortified with a system of field engineering structures of six frontal and four quadrangular redoubts perpendicular to them. The redoubts were located at a distance of a rifle shot from each other, which ensured tactical interaction between them. The redoubts housed two battalions of soldiers and grenadiers, behind the redoubts - 17 cavalry regiments under the command of Alexander Menshikov. The idea of Peter I was to wear down the enemy at the forefront (line of redoubts), and then defeat him in an open field battle.
On the night of July 8 (June 27, old style), the Swedish army under the command of Field Marshal Karl Rehnskild (Carl Rehnskild, Charles XII was wounded during reconnaissance) numbering about 20 thousand soldiers and with four guns - four columns of infantry and six columns of cavalry - moved to Russian positions. The remaining troops - up to 10 thousand soldiers were in reserve and guarding Swedish communications.
A mighty patriotic mood was aroused among the Russian soldiers by the words of Peter addressed to them before the start of the battle: “Warriors! The hour has come that should decide the fate of the Fatherland. You should not think that you are fighting for Peter, but for the state handed over to Peter, for your kind, for Fatherland, for our Orthodox Faith and Church.... Have Truth and God, your protector, in front of you in battle. And know about Peter that life is not dear to him. Only Russia would live in glory and prosperity for your well-being.
At 3 am on July 8 (June 27, old style), the Russian and Swedish cavalry began a stubborn battle near the redoubts. By 5 o'clock in the morning, the Swedish cavalry was overturned, but the infantry following it captured the first two Russian redoubts. At six o'clock in the morning, the Swedes, advancing behind the retreating Russian cavalry, fell on their right flank under cross rifle and cannon fire from the Russian fortified camp, suffered heavy losses and retreated in a panic to the forest. At the same time, the right-flank Swedish columns, cut off from their main forces during the battles for the redoubts, withdrew into the forest north of Poltava, where they were defeated by Menshikov's cavalry that followed them and surrendered.
At about 6 o'clock, Peter I withdrew the army from the camp and built it in two lines, where he placed the infantry in the center, and the cavalry of Menshikov and Bour on the flanks. A reserve (nine battalions) was left in the camp. The main forces of the Swedes lined up opposite the Russian troops. At 9 o'clock in the morning a hand-to-hand fight began. At this time, the cavalry of the Russian army began to cover the flanks of the enemy. The Swedes began their retreat, which turned into a disorderly flight by 11 o'clock. The Russian cavalry pursued them to the river bank, where the remnants of the Swedish army surrendered.
The battle of Poltava ended with a convincing victory for the Russian army. The enemy lost over 9 thousand killed, 19 thousand captured. Russian losses - 1345 people killed and 3290 wounded. Karl himself was wounded and fled to Turkey with a small detachment. The military power of the Swedes was undermined, the fame of the invincibility of Charles XII was dispelled.
The Poltava victory determined the outcome of the Northern War. The Russian army showed excellent combat training and heroism, and Peter I and his military leaders showed outstanding military leadership abilities. The Russians were the first in the military science of that era to use earthen field fortifications, as well as fast-moving horse artillery. In 1721, the Great Northern War ended with the complete victory of Peter I. The ancient Russian lands went to Russia, and it was firmly entrenched on the shores of the Baltic Sea.
The material was prepared on the basis of information from RIA Novosti and open sources
On July 8 (June 27 O.S.), 1709, the decisive battle of the Northern War of 1700-1721 took place - the Battle of Poltava. The Russian army under the command of Peter I defeated the Swedish army of Charles XII. The battle of Poltava led to a turning point in the Northern War in favor of Russia.
In honor of this victory, the Day of Military Glory of Russia was established, which is celebrated on July 10.
In the spring of 1709, after an unsuccessful winter campaign in Ukraine, the army of the Swedish king Charles XII laid siege to Poltava, where it was supposed to replenish supplies, and then continue on their way in the direction of Kharkov, Belgorod and further to Moscow. In April-June 1709, the Poltava garrison, consisting of 4.2 thousand soldiers and 2.6 thousand armed citizens, led by the commandant Colonel Alexei Kelin, supported by the cavalry of General Alexander Menshikov and Ukrainian Cossacks who came to the rescue, successfully repelled several enemy assaults. The heroic defense of Poltava fettered the forces of Charles XII. Thanks to her, the Russian army was able at the end of May 1709 to concentrate in the area of the fortress and prepare for battle with the enemy.
At the end of May, the main forces of the Russian army under the command of Peter I approached the Poltava region. At the military council on June 27 (June 16, O.S.), it was decided to give a general battle. By July 6 (June 25, O.S.), the Russian army, numbering 42 thousand people and having 72 guns, was located in the fortified camp it had created, 5 km north of Poltava.
The field in front of the camp, about 2.5 km wide, covered from the flanks by dense forest and thickets, was fortified with a system of field engineering structures of 6 frontal and 4 quadrangular redoubts perpendicular to them. The redoubts were located at a distance of a rifle shot from each other, which ensured tactical interaction between them. The redoubts housed 2 battalions of soldiers and grenadiers, behind the redoubts - 17 cavalry regiments under the command of Menshikov. The idea of Peter I was to wear down the enemy at the forefront (line of redoubts), and then defeat him in an open field battle.
On the night of July 8 (June 27, O.S.), the Swedish army under the command of Field Marshal Renschild (Charles XII was wounded during reconnaissance) numbering about 20 thousand soldiers and with 4 guns - 4 columns of infantry and 6 columns of cavalry - moved to the position of the Russians . The remaining troops - up to 10 thousand soldiers were in reserve and guarding Swedish communications.
A mighty patriotic mood was aroused among the Russian soldiers by the words of Peter addressed to them before the start of the battle: “Warriors! The hour has come, which must decide the fate of the Fatherland. You should not think that you are fighting for Peter, but for the state entrusted to Peter, for your family, for the Fatherland, for our Orthodox Faith and Church. Have in battle before you Truth and God, your protector. And about Peter, know that life is not dear to him. Only Russia would live in glory and prosperity for your well-being.
At 3 am on July 8, the Russian and Swedish cavalry began a stubborn battle near the redoubts. By 5 o'clock in the morning, the Swedish cavalry was overturned, but the infantry following it captured the first two Russian redoubts. At six o'clock in the morning, the Swedes, advancing behind the retreating Russian cavalry, fell on their right flank under cross rifle and cannon fire from the Russian fortified camp, suffered heavy losses and retreated in a panic to the forest. At the same time, the right-flank Swedish columns, cut off from their main forces during the battles for the redoubts, withdrew into the forest north of Poltava, where they were defeated by Menshikov's cavalry that followed them and surrendered.
At about 6 o'clock, Peter I withdrew the army from the camp and built it in two lines, where he placed the infantry in the center, and the cavalry of Menshikov and Bour on the flanks. A reserve (9 battalions) was left in the camp. The main forces of the Swedes lined up opposite the Russian troops. At 9 o'clock in the morning a hand-to-hand fight began. At this time, the cavalry of the Russian army began to cover the flanks of the enemy. The Swedes began their retreat, which turned into a disorderly flight by 11 o'clock. The Russian cavalry pursued them to the river bank, where the remnants of the Swedish army surrendered.
The battle of Poltava ended with a convincing victory for the Russian army. The enemy lost over 9 thousand killed, 19 thousand captured. Russian losses - 1345 people killed and 3290 wounded. Karl himself was wounded and fled to Turkey with a small detachment. The military power of the Swedes was undermined, the fame of the invincibility of Charles XII was dispelled.
The Poltava victory determined the outcome of the Northern War. The Russian army showed excellent combat training and heroism, and Peter I and his commanders showed outstanding military leadership abilities. The Russians were the first in the military science of that era to use earthen field fortifications, as well as fast-moving horse artillery. In 1721, the Great Northern War ended with the complete victory of Peter I. The ancient Russian lands went to Russia, and it was firmly entrenched on the shores of the Baltic Sea.
One of the most significant events in Russian history is the Battle of Poltava in 1709. Then, at the very beginning of the 18th century - just as during the Patriotic War of 1812, and during the Great Patriotic War (1941-1945) - the question was acute: was the Russian state destined to exist or not. The victory of the Russian army under the command of Peter the Great gave an unequivocal positive answer.
Sweden in the 17th and 18th centuries
In the 17th century, Sweden was one of the strongest powers in Europe. Under its control was the Baltic States, Finland, the coastal lands of Germany, Poland, Denmark and Russia. The Kexholm district (the city of Priozersk) and Ingermarlandia (the coast of the Gulf of Finland and the Neva) captured from Russia were strategically important territories that opened up access to the Baltic Sea.
In 1660-1661 peace agreements were signed between Sweden and Poland, Denmark and Russia. They summed up the bloody battles between the states, but could not mean complete humility before the lost: in 1700, an alliance was formed between Russia, Denmark and Saxony against treacherous Sweden.
Many historians argue that the allied countries wanted to take advantage of the moment of accession to the throne of Sweden in 1697, the 14-year-old heir Charles XII. But their hopes were not justified: despite his youth and inexperience in military affairs, the young Swedish king Charles XII proved to be a worthy follower of his father's deeds and a talented commander. He defeated the king of Denmark and Norway, Frederick VI, as a result of which Denmark withdrew from the military alliance. No less successful was the military operation near Narva in 1700, when the Russian troops were defeated. But here the Swedish king made a strategic mistake: he refused to pursue the Russians, getting involved in a war with the Polish-Saxon army of King Augustus II. It was long, but its results were disappointing for Peter the Great: Russia's main allies fell.
Rice. 1. Portrait of the Swedish King Charles XII
Prerequisites
The Russian army retreated. However, the defeat did not stop Peter I, on the contrary, it contributed to the beginning of serious transformations in the state:
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- In the years 1700-1702 - a grandiose military reform: the army and the Baltic Fleet were created almost from scratch;
- In 1702-1703, Peter the Great captured the fortresses of Noteburg and Nienschanz;
- In 1703, the city of St. Petersburg was founded at the mouth of the Neva;
- In 1704, the port city of Kronstadt was founded on the island of Kotlin and the small islands of the Gulf of Finland adjacent to it;
- In the summer of 1704, Derpt and Narva were recaptured by Russian troops, which allowed Russia to finally gain a foothold on the coast of the Gulf of Finland.
The victories won by the Russian army proved that the Swedes had a worthy opponent. But Charles XII preferred not to notice it. Confident in his abilities, he went to meet new conquests - to Moscow.
Rice. 2. Peter the Great before the construction of St. Petersburg
When did the battle of Poltava take place
On July 8 (June 27), 1709, a general battle took place near Poltava. The battle lasted two hours and ended in a crushing defeat for the Swedish troops led by Charles XII. Scientists rightly point out that it was this battle that turned out to be a turning point and predetermined the victory of the Russians in the Northern War. The victory of the Russian army was not accidental. It was predetermined for a number of reasons:
- Fighters of different spirits : on the one hand, the morally exhausted Swedish army, and on the other, the reformed Russian army. Most of the Swedish army fought for the ninth year away from home and relatives. In addition, the grueling winter of 1708-1709 led to a shortage of food and ammunition among the Swedes;
- The numerical superiority of the Russian army : Charles XII approached Poltava with an army of about 31,000 people and 39 guns. On the eve of the battle, Peter the Great had 49,000 soldiers and 130 cannons at his disposal;
- Differences in strategy : for two years - 1707-1709 the Russian army was constantly retreating. The task of Peter the Great was to save the army and prevent the enemy from setting foot in Moscow. To do this, he chose the strategy of a well-oiled victory: avoid large battles, and wear down the enemy with small ones;
- Differences in tactics : the Swedes in an open battle used a merciless attack using edged weapons, and the Russians - superiority in numbers and a system of earthen fortifications - redoubts. At the last stage of the Battle of Poltava, the Russian army used the tactics of the enemy and went on the attack: the battle turned into a massacre.
- Wounding of Charles XII : Swedish soldiers considered their king virtually invulnerable. Before the Battle of Poltava, he was seriously wounded in the leg, which shocked the army: many saw this as a mystical meaning and a bad omen. The patriotic mood of the Russian army was just the opposite: the war was on Russian soil and the fate of the Fatherland depended on its outcome.
- Lost moment of surprise : according to the plan, the Swedish infantry was supposed to attack the Russian army at night. But this did not happen: the cavalry, led by Swedish generals, got lost in the vicinity.
Rice. 3. Map-scheme of the Battle of Poltava
The dates of the beginning and end of the Northern War include 1700-1721. The Battle of Poltava is called the most important event of this period. Despite the fact that the war continued for another 12 long years, the clash near Poltava practically destroyed the Swedish army, forced Charles XII to flee in Turkey and predetermined the outcome of the Northern War: Russia expanded its territories, gaining a foothold in the Baltic.
In addition to the main participants in the Battle of Poltava - the Swedes and Russians, an important role was played by the Ukrainian hetman Ivan Mazepa - a protege of the Russian Tsar, who was in secret correspondence with Charles XII and promised him food, fodder and military support for the Zaporizhzhya Cossacks in exchange for the independence of Ukraine. As a result, he was forced to flee to Turkey along with the king of Sweden, where he ended his days in 1709.
Briefly about the battle of Poltava
Poltava srazhenie 1709
The Battle of Poltava, or the Battle of Poltava, in short, was one of the key events in the history of the Northern War, which lasted from 1700 to 1721. The battle itself took place on July 8, 1709. In April, Charles XII invaded the Russian Empire from the Ukraine, and in April began the siege of Poltava. At that time, Alexei Kelin managed his defense, under whose leadership there were 4 thousand soldiers and 2.5 thousand militias. The siege did not last long, as already in June Peter I brought his army to Poltava. It consisted of 42 thousand soldiers and 72 guns. Charles XII, hoping to win this battle, expected that the Ottoman Empire would also oppose Moscow.
From the side of the Swedes, up to 30 thousand people and 32 guns participated in the battle. Zaporozhye Cossacks also provided active support. Their leader, hetman Ivan Mazepa, decided to break his friendship with Peter I, hoping in the future to repeat the accomplishments of Bohdan Khmelnitsky and liberate Ukraine from the yoke of the Russian Empire. The Swedes decided to go on an open offensive against the troops of Peter I. During the battle, part of the Swedish troops broke away from the main forces, and was defeated by the cavalry commander Menshikov. Thus, the Swedish troops suffered significant damage even before the start of the main battle.
At 6 pm, Peter I went on the offensive, and after 3 hours the main infantry forces converged in battle, and the Russian cavalry outflanked the Swedes. After 2 hours, the Swedes fled, and Charles XII and Ivan Mazepa were forced to flee to the Ottoman Empire. Until the Battle of Poltava, the Great Northern War was developing in favor of the Swedes, and after it, having lost most of the main army, the success of Peter I in this war was predetermined. More than 9 thousand Swedes died and more than 18 thousand were taken prisoner. The Zaporozhian Sich was also devastated, but at that time the Cossacks in Ukraine had not yet been destroyed.
Before talking about the results of the Battle of Poltava, it is necessary to consider the battle itself, find out its causes, describe the short course of the battle, its participants, and only then take stock.
Poltava battle- a major battle between the forces of the Russian Empire on the one hand and the combined troops of Sweden and the Cossacks of I. Mazepa on the other. The battle took place on July 8, 1709 near the modern city of Poltava. The Russian Empire won.
Causes
There was a war between the Russian Empire and Sweden, which in history is called the Northern War. The Swedish king Charles XII managed to assemble a powerful army, which he prepared for an invasion into the depths of Russia, and the emperor of the Russian Empire - Peter I understood this very well.After a difficult winter, the Swedish army lost 1/3 of its entire strength due to the actions of the peasants who hid bread and horses, and the cold winter finished the job. Charles wished to take Poltava, as he saw it as a vulnerable city and a possible base for replenishing his forces, which he needed for a further attack on Moscow.
Karl made more than twenty attacks on Poltava, but the city's garrison did not give up (2 thousand people). Meanwhile, Peter hurried to the aid of Poltava with a large army.
Composition of forces
swedesThe total number of Swedes is 37 thousand people. The troops of the Cossacks-allies numbered 6 thousand people. Charles XII commanded the army of the Swedes. The Swedes also had a few artillery - a little more than 40 guns.
Russia
Approximately 80 thousand soldiers (72 thousand Russian soldiers and 8 thousand Cossacks). The Russian army also had artillery pieces - more than 100. Emperor Peter I commanded the army
The course of the battle
The first move in the Battle of Poltava was made by the Swedish army, attacking the Russian redoubts. Having taken the redoubts, the Swedish army lost its cavalry, and the infantry of the Ras concentrated their formations.The general battle began at 9 o'clock in the morning, when the Swedish infantry attacked the Russian. Peter met the Swedes with artillery fire, then the armies exchanged volleys from guns, and then hand-to-hand combat ensued with bayonets.
At first, the attack for the Swedes was successful, they managed to throw back the first line of the Russians and put the left flank to flight. This was facilitated by the presence among the army of the Swedes of their king. But at that moment, Peter entered the battle with the second line and was able to defuse the dangerous situation, stopping the attack of the Swedes.
On the right flank, the Russian army put the Swedes to flight. It was a mistake of the Swedish cavalry, which was unable to cover the infantry, which is why then she herself was forced to retreat.
Due to their numbers, the Russians continued their powerful onslaught, and by 11 o'clock the Swedes began to retreat in disorder. The battle was over, and Karl fled with the remnants of the cavalry and the Cossacks.
Results of the Poltava battle.
Sweden suffered a crushing defeat, which was the beginning of the collapse of the Swedish fighting machine, which had previously been the strongest in Europe. The Swedes lost a huge number of soldiers - 12 thousand, and many experienced officers were also killed. The Russian army lost less than 5 thousand people killed and wounded.
In the Northern War, a radical change occurred, if earlier the advantage was in the Swedes, now Peter completely seized the initiative. The authority of Sweden was undermined, Denmark went to war against them, and Saxony made peace with Russia. The authority of Russia has increased many times over, as they managed to defeat the best army in Europe.
The traitor of Peter I, hetman Ivan Mazepa, was expelled, and the Cossacks were no longer at the mercy of the Russian sovereign.
It is said about the Battle of Poltava that Peter opened a window to Europe in it, as he received the long-awaited access to the Baltic Sea - an important trade artery that Russia so needed.
