Siege of Polotsk (1563)

Siege of Polotsk
Part of Russo-Lithuanian War of 1561–1570 [ru] as part of Livonian War

The siege of Polotsk from the Augsburg leaflet, widely distributed in Germany.
Date31 January – 15 February 1563
Location55°29′N 28°48′E / 55.483°N 28.800°E / 55.483; 28.800
Result Russian victory
Territorial
changes
Fall of the city and the capture of the east of Lithuania
Belligerents
Russian Tsardom Grand Duchy of Lithuania
Commanders and leaders
Ivan IV Vasilyevich Stanislav Dvoina [ru; pl] Surrendered
Strength
31,206 to 45,000 2,400–6,000
Casualties and losses
86 dead & wounded[1] Entire Garrison surrendered
3,000 Residential yards burned down as a result of the bombing

The siege of Polotsk[a] was the siege of the Lithuanian fortress of Polotsk that took place in the winter of 1562 and 1563. The siege is considered one of the largest campaigns of the Russian army in the 16th century. The fall of the city caused a resonance throughout Europe and raised the prestige of the Russian tsar.[2][3] The siege is considered one of the greatest in the history of Russia before the Empire.[4]


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