The campaign of Yermak

Ermolai Timofeevich (1537-1585) was a great Russian discoverer of Siberia. In history, he is known as Ermak. The campaign of Ermak helped the Russian people to conquer wide expanses and riches of Siberia. He was a brave and purposeful man who knew how to lead. His leadership qualities helped him not only to leave a huge mark in the history of a great country, to win the respect of his opponents.

Yermak's campaign lasted from 1582 to 1585, and he died during the battle with Khan Kuchum. The people put together many heroic songs about him. Scientists have not been able to find out the real name of the hero. People called him Ermolai or Ermak Timofeev, because at that time many Russians were given names by their father or by nickname. He also had another name - Ermolai Timofeevich Tokmak. He possessed enormous physical strength, truly heroic.

At that time there was famine and devastation in the country, so the future hero was forced to move to the Volga and there he hired a laborer to work for the aged Cossack.

It was in peacetime, and during military campaigns Ermak was a squire. He learned military matters and even acquired his own weapons. Soon, thanks to his physical and mental abilities, Ermak becomes an ataman.

At that time in Siberia there were about 250 thousand people and it was of considerable interest to the Russian state. This area was famous for its wealth and pristine beauty.

But there was also a huge problem related to Siberia. Khan Kuchum severed all relations with Russia in those years and periodically raided the Urals, which greatly hampered his development. The eastern border, on the orders of Ivan the Terrible, had to be strengthened, where the ataman was sent for this purpose. Thus began the conquest of Siberia by Ermak.

The ataman's army consisted of 600 soldiers, who had excellent training. The goal of the campaign was to conquer and conquer Siberia. Ermak was made maximum efforts to achieve the task.

In those circumstances, only an unexpected offensive could ensure success. The main battle took place on October 26 on the Irtysh river, where Ermak defeated the Tatar troops of Kuchum's relative and entered the city of Kashlyk, the capital of the Siberian Khanate. Khan Mametkul managed to escape, fearing reprisals, but Yermak's campaign did not end there.

Ataman conquered the principality of Nazim and came with his army to Kolpukol Volost, where a battle took place with Prince Samar, who was destroyed. A little later Ermak concluded a truce with the prince from the Lower Ob area. This prince began to rule in this territory on behalf of Ermak.

Later, Mametkul was taken prisoner and taken to Siberia.

The conquest of Siberia continued. The Cossacks fought against the Tatars, one after another the people of Ermak were killed, who in the situation that had arisen had to send 25 of his Cossack soldiers to Moscow to ask for help.

History knows the fact, when all the warriors of the campaign against Siberia were awarded the tsar. Also, the king pardoned all the criminals acting against the state, and promised to send 300 riflemen to the aid of Ermak's army.

The death of Tsar Ivan the Terrible confused all the plans of the ataman, the royal promises were not fulfilled for a long time. The development of Siberia by Yermak came under threat, acquired an unpredictable character.

Help came too late. The detachments of the Cossacks by this time were destroyed, and the main force of the Ermak army, together with the soldiers coming to Moscow from Moscow, was blocked in Kashlik on March 12, 1585. Food was not delivered. There are very few people left. The army Ermak had to independently procure provisions. Picking up the right time, Kuchum interrupted the people of Ermak, then killed and ataman. This tragic end ended Ermak's campaign.

About his feat written many songs and legends. His heroism was repeatedly described in various literary works. Artists painted his image, creating great canvases. In the name of Ermak many outstanding places of that time were named.

The results of the conquest of Siberia proved invaluable for the Russian state. In its vast expanses, peasants began to live, new cities were built, and in the Russian treasury there were more tax collections. The campaign of Ermak contributed to the development of new rich lands located beyond the mountains of the Urals.