Siege of Smolensk

Significance

The Siege of Smolensk was a major engagement of the Polish–Muscovite War, pitting a Polish–Lithuanian Commonwealth force of 22,000 under Sigismund III, Stanisław Żółkiewski, and Lew Sapieha against a Russian garrison of 12,000 commanded by Mikhail Borisovich Shein. The recorded casualties — 5,000 for the Commonwealth and 12,000 for the Russian side — indicate that the Russian force suffered losses equivalent to its entire recorded strength, suggesting the siege resulted in the destruction or capitulation of the Smolensk garrison. Smolensk was a strategically significant fortress city on the route between the Commonwealth and Moscow, and its reduction would have constituted a substantial territorial and military gain for Polish–Lithuanian forces in the broader contest over influence in the Tsardom of Russia during the Time of Troubles.

Forces & casualties

Commanders (4)