Battle of Poltava

Article abstract: Type of action: Ground battle in the Great Northern War. Result: The heretofore seemingly invincible Swedes suffered a disastrous defeat at the hands of the Russians.

After the decisive defeat of the Russians at the Battle of Narva at the beginning of the Great Northern War (1700-1721), Charles XII, the young Swedish king, seemed well on the way to realizing his dream of establishing a great northern Swedish empire. By 1708, he was ready to move on Moscow, removing the last obstacle. When reinforcements failed to arrive on time, Charles altered...

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