Siege of Old Bykhov (1654)

At the beginning of the Russian-Polish war of 1654-67. a large-scale offensive of Russian troops on the lands of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania unfolded. As a mutual aid in recognition of the power of Tsar Alexei Mikhailovich over Ukraine, the hetman Bogdan Khmelnitsky sent to support the Russian troops the Cossack corps of Ivan Zolotarenko (about 20,000 men as part of the Nezhinsky , Chernihiv and Starodub regiments) ^[2] . Initially, it was planned to join the Cossack corps to the main forces of the Russian army, advancing on Smolensk. However, I. Zolotarenko, with the consent of Khmelnitsky, took independent actions in southeastern Belarus, successively capturing the cities of Rechitsa , Zhlobin , Streshin , Rogachev , Gomel (after a two-month siege), Chechersk , Propoisk and Novy Bykhov . The last fortress that prevented the establishment of control over the Dnieper was Old Bykhov, to which the Cossack troops launched a siege in early September 1654.

Old Bykhov, owned by Lithuanian Chancellor Casimir Lev Sapieha, was at the beginning of the war, unlike most state fortresses, one of the best fortresses of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania. The city was surrounded by earthen ramparts 7–8 m high and 30 m wide at the foot, reinforced by 11 bastions and ravelins . Three gates led into the city. From the east, the city was covered by the Dnieper and a stone castle measuring 77 by 100 meters. The fortress was abundantly equipped with provisions and ammunition for more than a year's defense. The garrison was very large: 600 people. hired infantry, 200 hajdukov, 100 dragoons, about 300 people. nobles, 1,000 Jews and 2,000 armed citizens. They were combined into 21 banners and companies. Artillery totaled 4 heavy and 26 field guns. ^[one]

By the beginning of the siege, Zolotarenko’s corps numbered a little more than half of its composition, since considerable forces were sent to raids on Lithuanian territory, many returned to Ukraine altogether. The Cossacks did not possess significant artillery (by the beginning of the campaign there were only 7 field guns in the corps), so they started a long siege. Significant forces of the garrison allowed to make constant sorties . The largest occurred on September 22 (October 2), when the defenders destroyed two Cossack trenches, captured three guns and inflicted losses on the besiegers. ^[1] The approach of winter and the danger of the Lithuanian counteroffensive forced Zolotarenko to lift the siege of the city at the end of November and retreat to New Bykhov. By the end of the siege, the number of corps was reduced (mainly due to those who left) to 6000-8000 people. ^[2] . On December 31 (January 10), Lithuanian troops arrived in the fortress.

The unsuccessful siege of Old Bykhov complicated the actions of the Russian troops, as it did not allow to establish an unhindered path along the Dnieper, linking the two theaters of operations - Belarus and Ukraine. In addition, the fortress became the base for the winter counterattack of the Lithuanian troops. Nevertheless, amid the tremendous successes of the Russian campaign of 1654, failure under Old Bykhov was an exception.