Russo–Crimean War (1571)

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In 1570 the Crimean army terribly devastated the Ryazan borderland of Muscovy, not meeting strong resistance. In May, 1571 the 120-thousand Crimean army led by the khan of Crimea Devlet I Giray, and Big and Small Nogai hordes and troops of Circassians, bypassed the Serpukhov defensive fortifications on the river Oka, crossed the river Ugra and rounded the flank of the 6-thousand Russian army. The sentry troops of Russians were crushed by the Crimeans. Not having forces to stop the invasion, the Russian army receded to Moscow. The rural Russian population also fled to the capital. The Crimean army devastated unprotected towns and villages around of Moscow, and then fired to suburbs of capital. Due to a strong wind, the fire was quickly extended. The townspeople, chased by a fire and refugees, rushed to northern gate of capital. In a gate and narrow streets there was a crush, people "went in three lines went on heads one of another, and top pressed those who were under them". The army, having mixed up with refugees, lost order, and general prince Belsky died in a fire. Within three hours Moscow burnt out completely. In one more day the Crimean army, sated with a pillage, left on the Ryazan road in steppe. It is said that they have captured in slavery 150 thousand Russians. Contemporaries counted up to 800 thousand victims of the invasion in 1571. Papal ambassador Possevin testified the devastation: he counted in 1580 no more than 30 thousand inhabitants of Moscow, though in 1520 the Moscow population was about 100 thousand.

After burning Moscow, Devlet I Giray, maintained by the Ottoman Empire, developed the plan of full conquest of the Russian state. The next year the invasion of his army has repeated but repelled during the Battle of Molodi.