Battle of Mstislavl

Battle of Mstislavl
Part of the Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars
Date 4 November 1501 Location Near Mstislavl, Mogilev Region 54°0′N 31°43′E Result Russian victory
Belligerents
Grand Duchy of Lithuania	Grand Duchy of Moscow Principality of Novgorod-Seversk
Commanders and leaders
Princes Mstislavsky Ostap Dashkevych	Semyon Mozhayskiy [ru]
Casualties and losses
About 7,000[1]	Unknown

The Battle of Mstislavl took place on 4 November 1501 between the forces of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania and the forces of the Grand Duchy of Moscow and Principality of Novgorod-Seversk. The Lithuanian forces were defeated.

The Muscovite–Lithuanian Wars renewed in 1500. In 1501, Ivan III of Russia sent a new force under the command of Semyon Mozhayskiy [ru] towards Mstislavl.[1] Local princes Mstislavsky together with Ostap Dashkevych organized the defense and were badly beaten on 4 November.[1][2] They retreated to Mstislavl and Mozhayskiy decided not to attack the castle. Instead, Russian forces besieged the city and pillaged surrounding areas.[2]

Lithuanians organized a relief force, brought by Great Hetman Stanislovas Kęsgaila. Neither Mozhayskiy nor Kęsgaila dared to attack and the Russian forces retreated without a battle.[3]

References

1. Jaques, Tony (2007). Dictionary of Battles and Sieges. Vol. F–O. Greenwood Publishing Group. p. 693. ISBN 978-0-313-33538-9.
2. Gudavičius, Edvardas (1999). Lietuvos istorija: Nuo seniausių laikų iki 1569 metų (in Lithuanian). p. 493. ISBN 9986-39-112-1.
3. Jankauskas, Vytas (2008). "Stanislovas Jonaitis Kęsgaila". In Surgailis, Gintautas (ed.). Lietuvos krašto apsaugos ministrai ir kariuomenės vadai (in Lithuanian). Vol. I. Lietuvos Respublikos krašto apsaugos ministerija. pp. 51–52. ISBN 978-9986-738-96-1.