Great standing on the Ugra - as it was

Стояние на Угре привело к освобождению Руси от Mongol yoke. The country has not only freed itself from heavy tribute, but a new player has appeared on the European arena - the Moscow kingdom. Russia became free in its actions.

In the second half of the 15th century, the position of the Golden Hordewas significantly weakened by internecine feuds. The treasury of the state, which was replenished only with Moscow tribute and raids on neighboring states, was practically empty. The weakness of the Horde is evidenced by the raid of the Vyatka ushkuynik on the capital, Sarai, which was completely looted and burned. In response to the daring raid, Khan Akhmat began to prepare a military campaign to punish the Russians. And at the same time to replenish the empty treasury. The result of this campaign was the Great Standing on the River Ugra in 1480.

In 1471, at the head of a huge army, Akhmatinvaded the borders of Russia. But all the crossings over the Oka River were blocked by Moscow troops. Then the Mongols laid siege to the border town Aleksin. The storming of the city was repulsed by its defenders. Then the Tatars overlaid the wooden walls with brushwood and straw, and then set them on fire. Russian troops stationed on the other side of the river did not come to the aid of the burning city. After the fire, the Mongols immediately went to the steppe. In response to the Akhmat campaign, Moscow refused to pay tribute to the Horde.

Ivan III led an active foreign policy.A military alliance was concluded with the Crimean Khan Mengli-Giray, with whom the Horde waged a prolonged struggle. The internecine wars within the Golden Horde allowed Russia to prepare for the general battle.

Akhmat picked up the moment for a trip to Ruswell At this time, Ivan III led the fight with his brothers Boris Volotsky and Andrei the Great, who were against the increase in power of the Moscow prince. Part of the forces was distracted in the Pskov land, where the struggle with the Livonian order was conducted. Also, the Golden Horde entered into a military alliance with the Polish king Casimir IV.

In the autumn of 1480, Khan Akhmat with a large armyentered the Russian land. In response to the invasion of the Tatars, Ivan III began to concentrate troops on the banks of the Oka River. At the end of September, the royal brothers stopped the fight against Moscow and, having received forgiveness, joined the army of the prince of Moscow. The Mongol army moved through Lithuanian vassal lands, intending to join forces with Casimir IV. But he was attacked by the Crimean Tatars, and could not come to the rescue. Tatars began to prepare for the crossing. The place was chosen on a 5-kilometer stretch at the confluence of the Ugra and Rosvianka rivers. The battle for the crossing began on October 8 and lasted four days. At this time, for the first time, Russian troops used artillery. The Mongol attacks were repulsed, they were forced to retreat a few miles from the river, and the Great Standing on the Ugra began.

Переговоры не привели ни к каким результатам.Neither side wanted to give in. Ivan III tried to drag out time. Standing on the River Ugra continued, no one decided on active hostilities. The Mongols, enthusiastic about the campaign, left their capital without cover, and a large Russian force was moving toward it. The frosts that began at the end of October forced the Tatars to experience a great shortage of food. Frosts led to the formation of ice on the river. As a result, Ivan III decided to withdraw his troops a little further to Borovsk, where there was a convenient place for battle.

Standing on the Ugra for a casual observerwould seem indecisive rulers. But the Russian Tsar simply did not need to transfer his troops across the river and shed the blood of his subjects. The actions of Khan Akhmat showed his insecurity in his own abilities. In addition, the backwardness of the Mongols in armaments was clearly manifested. Russian troops already had firearms, and also used artillery to protect the ferries.

The great standing on the Ugra led to the official liberation of Russia from Mongol rule. Khan Akhmat was soon killed by the envoys of the Siberian Khan Ibak in his own tent.