The Battle Of Poltava

June 27, 1709

The Sweden army of 25000 soldiers led by Carl XII invaded Ukraine. Ukrainian Hetman Mazeppa soon turned to the Swedish side. The entire Swedish army posed a serious threat for the South of Russia. Peter I decided to force Swedes out of their conquered territiries. His army had a numerical superiority of 40000 soldiers which for some time still somewhat lacked Swedish training and skills. The Swedes were no doubt the best disciplined army, the bravest and the most experienced and skillful in entire Western Europe. The decisive battle broke out near Poltava when Swedes attacked the Russian army. But they failed to suppress their force. Russian cavalry surrounded Swedes from both flanks and soon the entire army took the counter attack. The Russian army won a valiant victory which influenced greatly the course of the whole war, though, as long lasting as it was, the aggression continued until 1721.