Russo-Crimean Wars facts for kids

The Russo-Crimean Wars were a series of conflicts in the 16th century. They were fought between the Tsardom of Russia and the Crimean Khanate. These wars were mainly about control over the land around the Volga River.

During the 1500s, the open lands in Russia, known as the Wild Steppes, were often attacked by the Crimean Khanate. The Khanate, sometimes helped by the Turkish army, invaded central Russia. They even damaged Ryazan and burned Moscow in 1571. However, the next year, the Russian army defeated them in the Battle of Molodi. Even after this big loss, the raids continued for some time. Eventually, the Crimean Khanate itself was invaded many times and taken over in the late 1700s. The Tatars, who lived in the Khanate, lost their power in these regions.

These conflicts started soon after Russia gained more control in the Russo-Kazan Wars in the late 1400s. Russia also set up a friendly state called the Qasim Khanate to help protect its borders.

A Look Back at History

At the guarding border of the Moscow state. Painting by Sergey Vasilievich Ivanov.

The Crimean invasions of Russia began in 1507. This was after the death of Moscow's leader, Ivan III. The Crimean Khanate attacked Russian towns like Belev and Kozelsk.

Throughout the 16th century, the edge of the "Wild Steppes" was near the city of Ryazan. This was just outside the Oka River. The main route for invading armies to reach Moscow was the Muravsky Trail. This path stretched from the Crimean Isthmus of Perekop all the way up to Tula.

The Tatar raiders would often go 100–200 kilometers deep into Russian land. They would loot towns and capture people. These captives were then sent to the Crimean city of Caffa to be sold. Because of this, many Russian people living near the border suffered greatly.

Every spring, Russia gathered thousands of soldiers to guard its borders. They built defensive lines using a network of fortresses and cities. To protect against attacks from the Nogai Horde in the area between the Volga and Ural rivers, new cities were built. These included Samara (in 1586), Tsaritsyn (in 1589), and Saratov (in 1590).

Some of the most damaging invasions happened in 1517, 1521, 1537, 1552, 1555, and 1570–72. Other notable raids occurred in 1589, 1593, 1640, 1666–67, 1671, and 1688.

The War of 1570–1572

Quick facts for kids Russo–Crimean War (1570–1572)
Date 1570–1572 Location European Russia Result Russian victory Crimean Tatar army withdraws from Russia after defeat near Moscow The Crimeans and Turks refuse to invade for 20 years
Belligerents
Tsardom of Russia	Crimea  Ottoman Empire
Commanders and leaders
Ivan the Terrible Mikhail Vorotynsky	Devlet Giray Khan
Strength
23,000–70,000	60,000-120,000
Casualties and losses
Unknown	Heavy

In 1570, the Crimean Tatars attacked and damaged the Ryazan borderland of Russia. This led to a larger conflict.

In May 1571, a huge army of about 60,000 Crimean and Turkish soldiers marched into Russia. This army was led by Devlet I Giray, the khan of Crimea. They managed to get around Russia's defenses on the Oka River. The smaller Russian guard troops were defeated. The main Russian army had to retreat to Moscow. Many people from the countryside also fled to the capital for safety.

The Crimean army then attacked towns and villages around Moscow. They then set fire to the parts of the city outside the main walls. A strong wind quickly spread the fire. People tried to escape, rushing towards the northern gate of the city. There was a huge crowd, and many people were hurt or died in the chaos. Within just three hours, Moscow was almost completely burned.

The next day, the Crimean army, having taken many valuable things, left Moscow. They headed back towards the steppes. Some people at the time estimated that 80,000 people died in the 1571 invasion. About 150,000 Russians were taken captive. A visitor in 1580 noted that Moscow had only about 30,000 residents left. This was a big drop from about 100,000 people in 1520.

After Moscow was burned, Devlet I Giray tried to invade Russia again in 1572. This time, his combined Tatar and Turkish forces were stopped. They were defeated in the important Battle of Molodi in July–August. The Russian army, led by Prince Mikhail Vorotynsky and Prince Dmitriy Khvorostinin, won a major victory against the 60,000-strong Crimean army.

What Happened After 1572

After 1572, Russia began to expand towards the Black Sea. The Crimean Khanate was invaded several times in the 18th century. It was finally taken over by Russia during the Russo-Turkish Wars.

Key Tatar Raids

Tatar invasion of Russia in 1521

Here are some important raids and events during this period:

• 1465: Crimea attacked the Great Horde to stop them from raiding Russia.
• 1507: Crimean forces marching on Moscow were defeated.
• 1517: An unsuccessful Crimean raid into Russia led to 15,000 Crimean losses.
• 1521: The Khan and 50,000 men crossed the Oka River and attacked areas around Moscow for two weeks.
• 1521: The Crimeans failed to capture Razian and left Russia.
• 1533–1547: During this time, about 20 large raids happened on Russia's borders.
• 1541: The Crimean Khan crossed the Oka River using rafts, protected by Turkish guns.
• 1552: The Crimeans were defeated in the Battle of Tula and the Battle of the Shivoron River.
• 1555: About 60,000 Crimean Khanate troops were defeated in the Battle of Sudbeschi.
• 1559: Russians attacked the northern part of the Crimean Khanate and freed people who had been taken as slaves.
• 1571: The major Russo-Crimean War of 1571, which saw Moscow burned.
• 1572: The Battle of Molodi, where the Russian army defeated the Crimean forces.
• 1591: Crimean troops were defeated near Moscow. This was the last time they reached the capital.
• 1614: Nogai raids came close to Moscow. So many people were captured that the price of a slave in Caffa dropped very low.
• 1633: 30,000 Tatars crossed Russian defenses. Thousands were captured from the Oka region. This was the last time a deep raid happened into Russia.
• 1644: 20,000 Tatars raided southern Russia, taking 10,000 captives.
• 1646: Russians invaded the Crimean peninsula.
• 1687, 1689: Russian attempts to invade Crimea failed.
• 1769: A winter raid into New Serbia resulted in several thousand captives.
• 1774: Under the Treaty of Küçük Kaynarca, Crimea became a state controlled by Russia.
• 1783: Crimea was officially taken over by Russia.