Russian-Swedish war 1741-1743(Swedish: hattarnas ryska krig) - a revanchist war, which Sweden began in the hope of regaining the territories lost during the Northern War.

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  In December 1739, a Swedish-Turkish alliance was also concluded, but Turkey promised to provide assistance only in the event of an attack on Sweden by a third power.

  Declaration of war

  On July 28, 1741, the Russian ambassador in Stockholm was informed that Sweden was declaring war on Russia. The cause of the war in the manifesto was declared Russia's interference in the internal affairs of the kingdom, the ban on the export of grain to Sweden and the murder of the Swedish diplomatic courier M. Sinclair.

  The goals of the Swedes in the war

  According to the instructions drawn up for the conduct of future peace negotiations, the Swedes intended to put forward, as a condition of peace, the return of all lands that had ceded to Russia in the Nystadt peace, as well as the transfer of territory between Ladoga and the White Sea to Sweden. If third powers had come out against Sweden, it was ready to be satisfied with Karelia and Ingermanlandia together with Petersburg.

  The course of the war

  1741

  Count Karl Emil Löwenhaupt was appointed commander-in-chief of the Swedish army, who arrived in Finland and took command only on September 3, 1741. At that moment there were about 18 thousand regular troops in Finland. Near the border there were two buildings of 3 and 5 thousand people. The first of them, commanded by Karl Heinrich Wrangel (English) Russian, was located near Wilmanstrand, another, under the command of Lieutenant General Henrik Magnus von Buddenbrock (English) Russian, - six miles from this city, the garrison of which did not exceed 1,100 people.

  On the Russian side, Field Marshal Pyotr Petrovich Lassi was appointed commander-in-chief. Learning that the Swedish forces were small and, moreover, divided, he moved to Wilmanstrand. Having approached him, the Russians stopped on August 22 in the village of Armil, and in the evening the Wrangel corps approached the city. The number of Swedes, including the Vilmanstrand garrison, was, according to various sources, from 3500 to 5200 people. The number of Russian troops reached 9,900.

  On August 23, Lassi moved against the enemy, who occupied an advantageous position under the cover of the city's guns. The Russians attacked the Swedish positions, but due to the stubborn resistance of the Swedes, they were forced to move back. Then Lassi threw his cavalry into the enemy's flank, after which the Swedes were knocked down from the hills and lost their guns. After a three-hour battle, the Swedes were defeated.

  After the drummer sent to demand the surrender of the city was shot, the Russians took Wilmanstrand by storm. 1250 Swedish soldiers were taken prisoner, including Wrangel himself. The Russians lost in killed Major General Ukskul, three headquarters and eleven chief officers and about 500 privates. The city was burned, its inhabitants were taken to Russia. Russian troops again withdrew to Russian territory.

  In September-October, the Swedes concentrated an army of 22,800 near Kvarnby, of whom, due to illness, only 15-16 thousand soon remained in the ranks. The Russians stationed near Vyborg had about the same number of people. In late autumn, both armies went over to winter quarters. However, in November Levengaupt with 6 thousand infantry and 450 dragoons headed towards Vyborg, stopping at Sekkiervi. At the same time, several smaller corps attacked Russian Karelia from Wilmanstrand and Neishlot.

  Learning about the movement of the Swedes, the Russian government on November 24 gave the order to the guards regiments to prepare to march into Finland. This provoked a palace coup, as a result of which the crown princess Elizabeth came to power. She ordered an end to hostilities and concluded an armistice with Levengaupt.

  1742

  In February 1742, the Russian side broke the truce, and in March hostilities resumed. Elizaveta Petrovna published a manifesto in Finland, in which she urged its inhabitants not to take part in an unjust war and promised her help if they wanted to secede from Sweden and form an independent state.

  On June 13, Lassi crossed the border and at the end of the month approached Fredrikshamn (Friedrichsgam). The Swedes hastily left this fortress, but first set it on fire. Levengaupt retreated behind Kyumen, heading for Helsingfors. In his army, the fighting spirit fell sharply, and desertion grew. On July 30, Russian troops occupied Borgo without hindrance and began to pursue the Swedes in the direction of Helsingfors.

  On August 7, a detachment of Prince Meshchersky occupied Neyshlot without resistance, and on August 26, the last fortified point of Finland, Tavastgus, surrendered.

  In August, Lassi overtook the Swedish army at Helsingfors, cutting off any further retreat to Abo. At the same time, the Russian fleet locked the Swedes from the sea. Levengaupt and Buddenbrock, leaving the army, left for Stockholm, having been summoned to give an account of their actions to the Riksdag. The command of the army was entrusted to Major General J.L. Busquet, who on August 24 concluded a surrender with the Russians, according to which the Swedish army was to cross over to Sweden, leaving all the artillery to the Russians.

  On August 26 the Russians entered Helsingfors. Soon Russian troops completely occupied the whole of Finland and Esterbotten.

  Negotiation and peace

  Back in the spring of 1742, the former Swedish ambassador to St. Petersburg, E. M. von Nolcken, arrived in Russia to start peace negotiations, but the Russian government rejected his condition of mediation in the negotiations of France, and Nolcken returned to Sweden.

  The Northern War, which broke out in the 18th century between Russia and Sweden, became a significant event for the Russian state. Why Peter 1 started the war with the Swedes and how it ended - more on that later.

  Russian state under Peter 1

  To understand the reasons for the Northern War, you need to know what Russia was like at the beginning of the conflict. The 18th century is a time of tremendous changes in the economy, culture, politics and social relations. Peter the Great is known as a reformer tsar. He inherited a huge country with an underdeveloped economy and an outdated army. The Russian state lagged far behind European countries in development. In addition, it was weakened by the long wars with the Ottoman Empire, which were fought for domination in the Black Sea.

  Considering the question of why Peter 1 started the war with the Swedes, one must understand that there were the most compelling reasons for this. The Northern War was fought for access to the Baltic coast, which was vital for Russia. Without trade relations with Western countries, it could not develop its economy. The only port at that time through which Russian goods were delivered to the West was Arkhangelsk. The sea route through was difficult, dangerous and irregular. In addition, Peter 1 understood the need for the urgent development of his fleet in the Baltic and the Black Sea. Without this, it was impossible to create a strong state.

  

  That is why the war with the Swedes under Peter I was inevitable. Previous rulers of Russia saw the main enemy in the Ottoman Empire, which constantly launched attacks on the Russian border territories. Only such a far-sighted politician like Peter the Great understood that it was more important for the country now to have the opportunity to trade with Europe by means of and the struggle for the Black Sea coast could wait for now.

  Charles XII

  During this period, the northern country was ruled by such a young and extraordinary monarch as Peter 1. Charles XII was considered a military genius, and his army was invincible. The country under him was considered the strongest in the Baltic region. By the way, his name is Karl in Russia, and in Sweden the king was known as Charles XII.

  

  He began to rule, like Peter, at a young age. He was 15 years old when his father died, and Charles succeeded to the throne. Possessing a hot-tempered character, the king did not tolerate any advice and decided everything himself. At the age of 18 he made his first military expedition. Announcing at the court that he was leaving for fun in one of his castles, in fact, the young ruler with a small army went by sea to Denmark. With a quick march, finding himself under the walls of Copenhagen, Charles forced Denmark to withdraw from the alliance with Russia, Poland and Saxony. Almost 18 years after that, the king spent outside his native country, participating in various military campaigns. Their goal was to make Sweden the strongest state in Northern Europe.

  Peter 1 and the Swedes: the reasons for the military conflict

  Russia and Sweden were adversaries long before the birth of the reformer tsar. The Baltic coast, which was of no small geopolitical importance, has always been of great interest to many countries. Poland, Sweden and Russia have been trying for many centuries to increase their influence in the Baltic region. Since the 12th century, the Swedes have repeatedly attacked northern Russia, trying to capture Ladoga, the coast of the Gulf of Finland and Karelia. By the beginning of the 18th century, the Baltic countries were completely subordinated to Sweden. August II, King of Poland and Elector of Saxony, Frederick IV, Ruler of Denmark and Peter the Great formed a coalition against Sweden. Their hopes for victory were based on the youth of Charles XII. In case of victory, Russia received the long-awaited access to the Baltic coast and the opportunity to have a fleet. This was the main reason why Peter 1 started the war with the Swedes. As for the rest of the members of the alliance against Sweden, they sought to weaken the northern enemy and strengthen their presence in the Baltic region.

  Great: The Northern War with Sweden proved the talent of the Russian Tsar

  The union between the three countries (Russia, Denmark and Poland) was concluded in 1699. August II was the first to oppose Sweden. The siege of Riga began in 1700. In the same year, the Danish army launched an invasion of Holstein territory, which was an ally of Sweden. Then Charles XII made a bold march to Denmark and forced her to withdraw from the war. Then he sent troops to Riga, and not daring to join the battle, he withdrew his troops.

  Russia was the last to enter the war with Sweden. Why did Peter 1 start the war with the Swedes not at the same time as the allies? The fact is that the Russian state at that time was at war with the Ottoman Empire, and the country could not participate in two military conflicts at once.

  The very next day after the conclusion of a peace treaty with Turkey, Russia entered the war with Sweden. Peter 1 began his march to Narva, the nearest Swedish fortress. The battle was lost, despite the fact that the troops of Charles XII were far outnumbered by the poorly trained and insufficiently armed Russian army.

  

  The defeat at Narva led to a rapid transformation of the Russian armed forces. In just a year, Peter the Great was able to completely transform the army, equipped with new weapons and artillery. Since 1701, Russia begins to gain victories over the Swedes: Poltava at sea. In 1721 Sweden signed a peace treaty with Russia.

  

  Results of the Northern War

  After the conclusion of the Nystadt Peace Treaty, Russia firmly established itself in the Baltic region and Courland.

  The confrontation between Russia and Sweden began in the 18th century, when Peter the Great decided to get access to the Baltic Sea for his country. This was the reason for the outbreak of the Northern War, which lasted from 1700 to 1721, which Sweden lost. The results of this conflict have changed the political map of Europe. First, Sweden has turned from a great and powerful maritime power, dominating the Baltic Sea, into a weak state. To regain its position, Sweden had to fight for decades. Secondly, the Russian Empire appeared in Europe with its capital in the city of St. Petersburg. The new capital was built by Peter the Great on the Neva, near the Baltic. This facilitated control over the region and the sea. Thirdly, the war between the Russian Empire and Sweden continued for a long time. The peak of the struggle was the war, known in historical literature and documents as the Russian-Swedish war. It began in 1808 and ended in 1809.

  The situation in Europe at the end of the 18th century.

  The revolutionary events that began in France in 1789 influenced the situation in Russia, Sweden, Germany, England. The political and economic situation in many countries changed by leaps and bounds. In particular, the monarchy was overthrown in France, King Louis the Sixteenth was killed, a republic was proclaimed, which was quickly replaced by the rule of the Jacobins. The military took advantage of the political confusion, which brought to power Napoleon Bonaparte, who created a new empire in France. Napoleon strove to conquer Europe, to subjugate not only its western regions, but also to extend his power to the Balkans, Russia, and Poland. The grandiose plans of the French emperor were opposed by the Russian emperor Alexander the First. He managed to stop Napoleon's army in Russia and shatter the French state's stand. The empire created by Bonaparte began to fall apart.

  So, to the main prerequisites of the Russian-Swedish war at the beginning of the 19th century. factors include:

  • Loss of Sweden in the Northern War.
  • Creation of the Russian Empire and the transition under its rule of important trade routes, which were located in the Baltic Sea.
  • The Great French Revolution, which was inevitable and which influenced the course of European history in the 19th and 20th centuries. Many of the consequences of the events in France in the late 1780s - 1790s. are felt in Europe now.
  • The coming to power of Napoleon, his conquests in Europe and defeat in Russia.
  • The constant wars of the monarchs of Europe with the army of Napoleon to protect the national borders of their states from French influence.

  The campaigns of the Napoleonic army at the beginning of the 19th century. contributed to the unification of European states in an anti-French coalition. Austria, England and Russia opposed Bonaparte. Emperor Alexander I was the last to ponder for a long time which side to prefer. This choice was associated with two important factors. First, the influence on the Russian emperor of the so-called German party, whose members determined the foreign policy of the ambitious Alexander the First. Secondly, the ambitious plans of the new ruler of Russia, who constantly interfered in the internal affairs of the German principalities and lands. Germans in the empire were everywhere - in important government posts, in the army, at court, the emperor was also married to a German princess. His mother was also from a noble German family and had the title of princess. Alexander wanted to conduct constant campaigns of conquest, to win, to win battles, striving with his achievements to wash away the stain of shame from the murder of his father. Therefore, Alexander the First personally directed all campaigns to Germany.

  There were several coalitions against Napoleon, Sweden joined the third. Its king, Gustav IV, was as ambitious as the Russian emperor. In addition, the Swedish monarch strove to get back the lands of Pomerania, which had been taken away in the 18th century. Only Gustav the Fourth did not calculate the power of his country and the military capabilities of the army. The king was sure that Sweden was able to cut the map of Europe, change borders and win, as before, grandiose battles.

  Relations between Russia and Sweden before the war

  In January 1805, the two countries signed an agreement to create a new alliance, which is considered the third anti-Napoleonic coalition of European monarchies against revolutionary and rebellious France. In the same year, a campaign was carried out against Bonaparte, which ended in a serious defeat for the allied forces.

  The battle took place in November 1805 at Austerlitz, the consequences of which were:

  • Escape from the battlefield of the Austrian and Russian emperors.
  • Huge losses among the Russian and Austrian armies.
  • An attempt by Sweden to independently conduct a campaign in Pomerania, but from there they were quickly expelled by the French.

  In such a situation, Prussia and Austria tried to save themselves on their own, bypassing the conditions of cooperation with Russia. In particular, Austria signed a treaty with France in Pressburg, which historians call a separate treaty. Prussia went to establish allied relations with Napoleon Bonaparte. So, in December 1805, Russia was left alone with France, which did everything so that Alexander the First went to sign a peace treaty. But the ruler of the Russian Empire was in no hurry to do this, since he defended the interests of the German dynasties and family ties.

  Scientists believe that Alexander the First, in order to maintain dominance in the Baltic, control in Finland and over the Black Sea straits, the Caucasian republics, had to agree to peace with Bonaparte. Instead, he showed stubbornness and went to war with him.

  In 1806, new conditions arose for the creation of a new coalition against Napoleon. It was attended by England, Russia, Sweden, Prussia. The English monarch acted as the main financial sponsor of the coalition, the army and soldiers were provided mainly by Prussia and the Russian Empire. Sweden was needed by the union for balance in order to control Alexander the First. But the Swedish king was in no hurry to send his warriors to the European continent from the Scandinavian Peninsula.

  The coalition lost again, and Bonaparte's troops captured Berlin, Warsaw, and reached the Russian border, which ran along the Neman River. Alexander the First personally met with Napoleon, and signed the Tilsit Peace Treaty (1807). Among its conditions it is worth noting:

  • Russia was not supposed to interfere in the internal affairs of Western European states, including Germany and Austria.
  • Complete rupture of diplomatic relations and alliance with Austria.
  • Observance by Russia of strict neutrality.

  At the same time, Russia got a chance to deal with Sweden, as well as Turkey. Napoleon during 1807-1808 did not allow Alexander the First to visit Austria, not allowing him to conclude "to communicate".

  After the Tilsist peace, the diplomatic and military games on the European continent did not end. Russia continued to actively interfere in all the affairs of Germany, Britain continued to attack all ships, which they regarded as a threat to their state. So the ships of Denmark were accidentally attacked, trying to avoid being drawn into the French wars and coalition alliances against Bonaparte.

  In the summer of 1807, British troops landed on the territory of Denmark, and Copenhagen was bombed. The British captured the fleet, shipyards, naval arsenal, Prince Frederick refused to surrender.

  In response to the British attack on Denmark, Russia declared war on Britain over commitments and family ties. This is how the Anglo-Russian war began, which was accompanied by the blockade of trade ports, goods, and the recall of diplomatic missions.

  England was also blockaded by France, which did not appreciate the capture of the Danish fleet and the destruction of Copenhagen. Bonaparte demanded that Russia put pressure on Sweden to close ports for all British ships. This was followed by an exchange of diplomatic letters between Napoleon and Alexander the First. The French emperor offered the Russian all of Sweden and Stockholm. This was a direct allusion to the need to start military operations against Sweden. To prevent the loss of this Scandinavian country, England signed a treaty with her. His goal was to maintain the position of British merchant ships and companies in Scandinavia and cut Russia off from Sweden. Among the conditions of the Anglo-Swedish agreement, it is worth noting:

  • Payment to the Swedish government of £ 1 million every month.
  • The war with Russia and its conduct as long as circumstances require.
  • Sending British soldiers to Sweden to take under their protection the western border of the country (there were important ports here).
  • Transfer of the Swedish army to the east to fight with Russia.

  In February 1808, there was no longer any opportunity for both countries to avoid a military conflict. England wanted to get "dividends" as soon as possible, while Russia and Sweden wanted to settle their longstanding disputes.

  The course of hostilities in 1808-1809

  The war began in February 1808 when Russian troops invaded Sweden in the Finnish region. The surprise effect gave a serious advantage to Russia, which by mid-spring managed to capture half of Finland, Sveaborg, the islands of Gotland and Aland.

  The Swedish army suffered huge losses both on land and at sea. In the port of Lisbon at the end of the summer of 1808, the Swedish fleet capitulated to the British, who received the ships for storage until the end of the war. Great assistance to Sweden was provided by England, which provided its troops and navy. Because of this, Russia's situation in Finland has deteriorated. Further events took place in the following chronological order:

  • In August - September 1808, Russian troops won a number of victories in Finland. Alexander the First strove to clear the occupied territory from the Swedes and the British.
  • September 1808 - an armistice was signed, but the Russian emperor did not accept it, because he wanted the Swedes to leave Finland for good.
  • Winter 1809 is the winter campaign launched by the Russian Empire to isolate Sweden. The invasion took place through the Gulf of Bothnia (on ice) and along the coast of the gulf. The British could not help Sweden from the sea due to weather conditions. The Russian army launched an offensive across the Gulf of Bothnia to the Aland Islands, which they managed to capture, knocking out the Swedes from there. As a result, a political crisis began in Sweden.
  • After the winter campaign of 1809, a coup d'etat took place in the kingdom, during which Gustav the Fourth was overthrown. The newly formed government appointed a new regent and called for a truce. Alexander the First did not want to sign the contract until he got Finland.
  • March 1809 - General Shuvalov's army marched along the northern coast of the Gulf of Bothnia, capturing Torneo and Calix. Near the last settlement, the Swedes laid down their arms, and Shuvalov's troops again went on the offensive. The soldiers, under the skillful leadership of the general, were victorious, and another Swedish army surrendered near the town of Schelefteå.
  • Summer 1809 - Battle of Ratan, which is considered the last in the Russian-Swedish war. The Russians attacked Stockholm, trying to capture it in a short time. By that time, the ice in the bay had melted, and British ships rushed to the aid of the Swedes. Decisiveness and surprise were the main factors in the victory of Kamensky's troops, who gave the last battle to the Swedes at Ratan. They lost, losing one third of the army.

  Peace treaty of 1809 and its consequences

  Negotiations began in August and continued for several weeks with the signing of a peace agreement. The agreement was signed in the city of Friedrichsgam, now Hanin in Finland. On the part of Russia, the document was signed by Count N. Rumyantsev, who served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs, and D. Alopeus, who served as the Russian ambassador in Stockholm, and on the part of Sweden, by Colonel A. Sheldebront and Baron K. Steedink, who was the infantry general.

  The terms of the agreement were divided into three parts - military, territorial and economic. Among the military and territorial conditions of the Peace of Friedrichsgam, attention is drawn to such points as:

  • Russia received the Alan Islands and Finland, which received the status of the Grand Duchy. It had the rights of autonomy within the Russian Empire.
  • Sweden was forced to abandon the alliance with the British and take part in the Continental Blockade, aimed at weakening England and its trade in the ports of Sweden.
  • Russia withdrew its troops from Sweden.
  • There was a mutual exchange of hostages and prisoners of war.
  • The border between the countries passed along the Munio and Torneo rivers, along the Munioniski-Enonteki-Kilpisjärvi line, which stretched to Norway.
  • In the border waters, the islands were divided along the fairway. To the east, the island territories belonged to Russia, and to the west - to Sweden.

  Economic conditions were beneficial to both countries. Trade between the states continued, according to a previously signed agreement. Trade remained duty-free in Russian ports on the Baltic Sea, between Sweden and Finland. Other conditions in the field of economic cooperation were beneficial to the Russians. They could receive back property, possessions, and land that had been taken back. They also took legal action to get their property back.

  So, the economic and political situation after the war changed the status of Finland. It became an integral part of the Russian Empire, began to integrate into its economic and economic systems. The Swedes, Finns, Russians made profitable trade operations, regained their property, possessions, and strengthened their positions in Finland.

  Sweden is the largest state in Northern Europe. In the past, it dominated its region and in certain periods of its history could well be considered one of the great European powers. Among the kings of Sweden there were many great generals - such as, for example, the "Lion of the North" Gustav II Adolf, Peter the Great's rival Charles XII, as well as the former French marshal and founder of the now ruling Swedish royal dynasty of Bernadottes, Karl XIV Johan. The victorious wars of Sweden, which the state waged for several centuries, allowed it to create a rather vast empire in the Baltic Sea basin. However, in addition to major interstate conflicts, Swedish military history also knows several internal ones - for example, at the end of the 16th century, a civil war broke out in Sweden between the supporters of two monarchs: Sigismund III and Charles IX.

  An important event that united Swedish and Russian history was the Great Northern War, which lasted from 1700 to 1721. The underlying reasons for this 20-year conflict lay in Russia's desire for a strategic outlet to the Baltic Sea. The start of the war against Russia and its allies, which was quite successful for the Swedes, still could not ensure a final victory for this northern power. The final results were disappointing for Sweden: with the defeat in this war, the country's gradual decline as a great power began. With a certain degree of convention, we can assume that the military history of Sweden ended in 1814, when the country waged its last war.
  However, even today the Scandinavian kingdom has a highly developed defense industry and, albeit a small, but superbly equipped and trained army. A special section of the website contains articles and editorials dedicated to the rich military history of Sweden and the present day of its armed forces.

  Clashes between states began in the middle of the 12th century, when the First Swedish Crusade was declared. But then the Novgorodians held out. From then until the early 19th century, Sweden and Russia fought countless times. There are about two dozen major confrontations alone.

  Novgorod takes a hit

  The first Swedish crusade had a very specific goal - to recapture Ladoga from Novgorod. This confrontation lasted from 1142 to 1164, and the Novgorodians emerged victorious from it.
  A little twenty years later, the combined Karelo-Novgorod troops managed to capture the capital of Sweden, Sigtuna. The Archbishop of Uppsala was killed and the city plundered. Among the booty were the famous bronze church gates, which later "settled" in Novgorod.
  Towards the middle of the 13th century, the Swedes announced the Second Crusade.

  In 1240, the famous battle of Jarl Birger with Alexander Yaroslavich took place. The Novgorodians turned out to be stronger, and the prince, thanks to the victory, received the nickname Nevsky.

  But the Swedes did not even think to calm down. Starting in 1283, they actively tried to gain a foothold on the banks of the Neva. But they did not dare to get involved in open confrontation. The Swedes used the tactics of "minor foul", regularly attacking Novgorod merchants. But the Scandinavians were not able to extract any particular benefit from this.
  At the beginning of the XIV century, the struggle continued with varying degrees of success. Once even the Swedes managed to capture and burn Ladoga, but they failed to consolidate or develop their success.

  Swedes against the Russian kingdom

  The Scandinavians did not abandon their claims to the northern lands even after Novgorod became part of the Moscow principality. At the very end of the 15th century under Ivan III, Russia itself attacked Sweden for the first time in a long time. Enlisting the support of the Danish king, Russian troops set off to capture Vyborg.
  The war went on with varying degrees of success. Either the Russian governors succeeded in plundering enemy settlements, or the Swedes did the same. Only the Danish king, who took over the Swedish throne, benefited from the confrontation.

  A truly large-scale and bloody war between the Russian kingdom and Sweden unfolded under Ivan the Terrible. The reason was traditional - border disputes. The Scandinavians were the first to attack and the Oreshek fortress fell under the "distribution". In retaliation, Russian troops laid siege to Vyborg. But both the former and the latter failed.

  Then the Swedes invaded the Izhora and Korelian lands, staging a pogrom there. During the capture of Korela, the Scandinavians cut out all Russian residents (about two thousand). Then they exterminated seven thousand more in Gapsala and Narva.

  The end of the bloodshed was put by Prince Khvorostinin, who managed to defeat the Scandinavians in the battles in Votskaya pyatina and near Oreshk.

  True, the peace treaty between the states was unprofitable for Russia: it lost Yam, Ivangorod and Koporye.

  The Swedes tried to use the turmoil that began in Russia for themselves as profitable as possible. And, as they say, "on the sly" took Ladoga. Further more. The Novgorodians themselves called the Swedish king to rule over them, so they surrendered the city without a fight. When Mikhail Fedorovich ascended the Russian throne, the Scandinavians already owned Ingermanlandia and most of the Novgorod lands.
  On a swoop, the Russian troops did not succeed in returning Novgorod, the war was reduced, for the most part, to brawls at the borders. Since the governors did not dare to go out into open battle with the troops of Gustav-Adolf. Soon the Swedes captured Gdov. But near Pskov they were in for a failure. Only in 1617 was the Stolbovsk peace concluded between the countries, according to which Russia called on the rights of Sweden to Ingermanland and Karelia.

  In the middle of the 17th century, hostilities continued. But neither side managed to achieve significant results.

  Wars under Peter the Great

  Under Peter the Great, the largest war in history took place between Russia and Sweden - the Northern War, which lasted from 1700 to 1721.
  Initially, the Scandinavians were opposed by an alliance of European states that wanted to snatch parts of the Baltic territories. The Northern Alliance, which appeared thanks to the initiative of the Elector of Saxony and the Polish king Augustus II, also included the Danes and Russia. But very quickly the alliance fell apart due to several Swedish victories.

  Until 1709, Russia fought alone against a formidable enemy. After the capture of Noteburg, Peter founded St. Petersburg in 1703. A year later, Russian troops were able to take Dorpat and Narva.

  Four years later, King Charles XII of Sweden went all-in and lost. First, his troops were defeated at Lesnaya. And then - and in the decisive battle near Poltava.
  The new king of Sweden, Fredrik I, had no choice, he asked for peace. The defeat in the Northern War hit the Scandinavian state hard, forever knocking it out of the rank of great powers.

  Wars in the 18th and 19th centuries

  The Swedes wanted to regain the status of a great power, and to do this they had to defeat the Russian Empire.

  Under Elizaveta Petrovna, the Swedes declared war. It lasted only two years: from 1741 to 1743. The Scandinavian army was so weak that it could even hardly defend itself, not to mention any offensive actions.
  The result of the war was the loss of the Kymenegorsk province by Sweden with Neishlot, Vilmanstrand and Friedrichsgam. And the border between the states began to pass along the Kyumen River.
  Once again, the Swedes tried their military happiness already under Catherine II, succumbing to the instigations of England. The Scandinavian king Gustav III hoped that he would not meet serious resistance in Finland, since the Russian troops were pulled south. But this war, which lasted from 1788 to 1790, did not produce any results. According to the Verel Peace Treaty, Russia and Sweden simply returned the occupied territories to each other.
  It fell to Emperor Alexander I to put an end to the centuries-old confrontation between Russia and Sweden. The war lasted only a year (from 1808 to 1809), but it was very eventful.
  Alexander decided to put an end to his old enemy once and for all, so the Russian troops set out to conquer Finland. The Swedes hoped to the last that bloodshed would be avoided, and the king did not believe in the presence of an enemy army on the border. But on February 9, Russian troops (the armies were commanded by Barclay, Bagration and Tuchkov) invaded the neighboring state without an official declaration of war.
  Due to the weakness of the monarch and the impending disaster, a coup d'etat took place in Sweden "in time". Gustav IV Adolf was deposed, and power passed into the hands of his uncle, the Duke of Südermanland. He received the name Charles XIII.
  After these events, the Swedes roused themselves and decided to expel the enemy armies from Estherbothnia. But all attempts failed. At the same time, which is typical, the Swedes refused to agree to peace, having given the Aland Islands to Russia.

  The hostilities continued, and the Scandinavians decided on the last, decisive blow. But this venture also failed, the Swedes had to sign a peace treaty. According to it, they ceded to the Russian Empire all of Finland, the Aland Islands and the eastern part of Westro-Botnia.

  On this, the confrontation between states, which lasted almost seven centuries, was over. Russia emerged from it as the sole winner.