Battle of Poltava
Poltava, Cossack Hetmanate (present-day Ukraine)
What happened
Tsar Peter the Great of Russia fought the Swedish army of King Charles XII, together with the Cossack leader Ivan Mazepa. During the Great Northern War Charles XII invaded Russia, but a terrible winter weakened his army. Before the battle he was struck in the foot by a stray bullet and could not stand. The Swedish attack on the Russian forts failed, and the Swedish army was defeated.
Why it matters
Result: Russian coalition victory. Leaders: Charles XII / Carl Gustav Rehnskiöld against Peter I / Boris Sheremetev. Why it matters: Sweden lost its place as a great power, and Russia became the strongest power in eastern Europe. It was the turning point of the Great Northern War.
What came next
Charles XII and Mazepa fled to the Ottoman Empire, and most of the remaining Swedish army surrendered at Perevolochna three days later. Charles spent about five years in exile before returning to Sweden.
Did you know?
The battlefield has been listed by Ukraine as a monument of national historical significance since 2009.
Timeline
- 1700 CECharles XII wins at Narva.
- 1708-1709 CEA harsh winter weakens the Swedish army.
- 8 July 1709 CEPeter the Great defeats the Swedes at Poltava.
- 11 July 1709 CEThe remaining Swedish army surrenders at Perevolochna.